LESSONS FROM OUR NEIGHBOURS

No doubt there would have been quite a few Norfolkers shaking their heads and sighing today as they read in our local press the transcripts of an enormous volume of reports, interviews, and Hansards of Australian Senate Debate on the Norfolk Island.
It is frustrating to have to sit back and put up with all the misunderstandings and inaccuracies contained in this material. It is also tempting to feel as if you are a mouse dealing with a monster, and perhaps it is just too hard to fight it. Their thinking seems to be that we are part of Australia, and therefore there is no option but to toe the line, and be like all other Australians.
But we do not need to look very far afield to realise that this need not be the case.
Take our neighbour New Zealand. The Kiwis have a lot in common with Australians culturally, socially and ethnically, but their attitude to small island states which have been entrusted to their care and protection is totally different.
The Cook Islands, for instance, is peopled mainly by Cook Island Maoris, ethnically very close to their New Zealand counterparts. The Cook Islands are not independent, but are "in free association" with New Zealand. New Zealand exercises responsibility in defence and external affairs in consultation with the Cook Islands' government, but exercise no authority in any other area.
In the early days of "free association" post 1965, New Zealand gave assistance in creating legislation for the Cooks until they had the legal and judicial expertise in the more complex areas. And they helped them obtain that expertise!! In the earlier days, there was also a mechanism by which appeals could be made to the High Court of New Zealand. Both of these arrangements ceased around 1980, and today the islands have true self-government. Their people hold New Zealand citizenship, but this does not carry the obligation to "toe the mainstream New Zealand line." They have not been asked to exchange it for their own identity.
The Cooks have their own diplomatic missions in many places, are signatories to several International treaties and conventions, and participate in the South Pacific Forum in their own right. They are also considering joining the UN.
A small and decreasing part of their budget actually comes in the form of aid, mainly from New Zealand. When revenue contribution from New Zealand was higher than it is today, audits were carried out by New Zealand, but assistance to stimulate the local economy, and training in auditing and accounting led to the Cook Islands taking over the audit function in 1991.
The Queen's Representative in the Cook Islands is the Governor-General of New Zealand, but he/she is obliged to act on the advice of the Ministers of the Cook Islands Government.
Since 2000, under the Cotonou agreement,the Cooks have also received financial and technical assistance from the European Union!
They have the right to unilaterally declare themselves independent at any time, and New Zealand cannot object.
The picture has not always been rosy and positive. There were times in the 1980's and 90's when the country "lived beyond its means" and faced difficulties. With some assistance, it reduced its bloated Public Service, restructured debts, introduced reforms in economic management, and stimulated its tourist industry. Their economic recovery has been enhanced by reforms in governance and accountability.
Overall, New Zealand's part in the relationship was initially to assist in setting up basic social and economic programmes. Aid continues to be targetted in ensuring services reach outlying islands in the group. Underpinning this help was the aim of promoting national development, and reducing the reliance of the Cooks on handouts.
Former NZ PM Norman Kirk wrote:
"The special relationship between the Cook Islands and New Zealand is on both sides a voluntary arrangement which depends on shared interests and shared sympathies. In particular it calls for understanding on New Zealand's part of the Cook Islands' natural desire to lead a life of their own and for equal understanding on the Cook Islands' part of New Zealand's determination to safeguard the values on which its citizenship is based."
Now doesn't that read like a breath of fresh air!
New Zealand recognises the right of the Cook Islanders to retain their own identity, and gives the Cook Islands a bit of help to help themselves.
Come on, you Aussie politicians and bureaucrats, would it be so very hard to do the same thing for Norfolk Island and its people?