OUT OF THE BLUE.......BENEATH THE RADAR.......

AND BELOW THE BELT

That is how I would describe the tactics of the Federal Government, and the Minister responsible for Norfolk Island, Bob Debus.

His announcement in Federal Parliament on changes to governance on Norfolk Island came like a bombshell. And if I was shocked, how did the members of our own elected Legislative Assembly feel?

It came without warning, without consultation, without even the courtesy of simple communication at a Government level.

Ever since their election, and also since the election of the Rudd Labour Government, our own Ministers have genuinely sought to develop good lines of communication and a working relationship with Canberra and the Minister. They saw it as important to working through issues of mutual concern. They have not tried to "go it alone."

But I know they have found it frustratingly difficult, and Debus' response has been less than encouraging. He obviously had his own agenda.

When the Liberal Government decided to look into Norfolk affairs in 2006, with a view to making changes in Governance, the then Minister Jim Lloyd had the courtesy to give forewarning, and came to the island to make his announcement face to face with us, clearly setting out the steps that would be followed, with inquiries, studies and assessments.

This time all we got was a statement delivered in another jurisdiction, full of tired and outdated assumptions, sweeping generalisations, and a good sprinkling of misinformation. And this is the man who holds our future in his hands!!

Maybe the Minister thought he was sneaking in under the radar with his announcement while the media's attention was focussed on the worsening world financial crisis. Even at the best of times 2000 people on a remote little island have a job having their voice heard.
But we will be heard.
And we will be determined that this same financial crisis will not be used or manipulated by others to bring us to our knees.
The attack on our ability to sustain ourselves was not only beneath the radar - it was below the belt, and the arrogant lack of respect shown to our people and our own elected government is shameful.
The Minister will make his first visit to this island tomorrow - he has had many invitations - and his main purpose is for participation in an Islands of Exile Conference, leaving him very little time for the sort of consultation with our government and people which should have been his priority long before now.
He will find the Norfolk Island people - and our government members - respectful and polite as always. But he should not be fooled.
Many of us are very angry. We are angry that yet another Australian Government is acting in a high -handed manner, threatening our heritage and culture and our economy, and deeming it unimportant to properly communicate or consult with those of us who have so much to lose. It has been happening for over 100 years.
We thought that in that time the world had made much progress in the area of human rights.
Sadly we still need someone to stand up for the rights of the people on Norfolk Island.