FAILED STATE ?

Minister Debus used the term 'Failed State' in connection with Norfolk Island. He said that we were in danger of becoming one. It certainly caught everyone's attention, and was picked up by the media for their headlines after the announcement.

Of course, we on the island reacted too, and thought the term was a harsh exaggeration to say the least.

I decided to find out what exactly was meant by the term, and was soon to discover that 'failed state' has actually been the buzz word of the past decade.


The internet provides countless descriptions and definitions of the term. There are references to places where the government has lost control or the ability to meet the needs of its people, where there is violence, terrorism, civil unrest and uprisings and an inability to control borders. The term is applied to countries that have been severely weakened by natural or military disasters, and or whose coffers have been drained to the point where government is difficult.


The term has been applied to a number of African countries, to Afghanistan, to Pakistan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Timor. In more recent times it has been applied to Iceland, to the Solomons, to New Guinea. I have even found articles referring to the United States and Britain as failed states, and this was before the current financial crisis.


And now, believe it or not, former W.A. Senator Fred Chaney has been referring to Australia's north, the rich mining areas, as a 'failed state' because of the levels of poverty, lawlessness and violence in those regions.



'Failed State' can, it seems, mean whatever you want it to mean.


It has become a term you use when a place does not meet your particular benchmarks or criteria or perceptions of how things should work. It is often used to justify your intention to intervene in, or interfere with, the management and governmental processes of that place.


So is New South Wales a failed state because it has had to cut back its infrastructure planning drastically, double its taxes, and faces possible bankruptcy unless it sells its electricity undertakings?


Is Australia a failed state because it faces possible budget deficit with the heavy demands placed by the Financial crisis? (We are currently being prepared for this by being told that it is alright to have a budget deficit, as long as it is in surplus 'over the cycle.') Can it be accused of being unable to meet the needs of its people because its hospital system is described as "critical" with an estimated 1500 deaths per year because of their treatment (or lack of it) within Australian hospitals?


Norfolk Island faces a difficult time ahead as does every economy of the world. We are not immune. But having a mini-economy that is reasonably uncomplicated, with our self-reliance in all walks of life underpinning it, we may be able to survive better than many.


On a daily basis we are hearing about rescue and stimulus packages being dished out to individuals,organisations and business and industry in Australia. It is all starting to add up to big money. Just imagine six billion dollars to the Auto industry alone, with no guarantee that it will lift it out of the doldrums!


We have not asked for it, but just the minutest fraction of that money would go a long way to putting our economy here streets ahead, because we know how to target our spending wisely, without all the bureaucracy and middlemen and one-size-fits-all policies.


Two years ago, Australia developed a package worth $38 million for justice, law and order in independent Vanuatu.

But if we were to hold our hands out for just a small percentage of that for useful infrastructure like harbour or airport facilities, they would come right down on us saying we could no longer manage for ourselves, and therefore must not be allowed to govern ourselves any longer. Anything we have ever been given- and that is precious little - has come with long strings attached. Not just strings, but ropes that threaten to strangle out the last vestiges of our free and independent Norfolk spirit.

But we are not a failed state. We are a proud 'island state.' We continue to be a peaceful, productive and optimistic little community. We have an enviable sense of well-being and quality of life. And we have economic reports that show that our economy is sustainable.

Let Canberra prove otherwise, instead of relying on outdated reports and misguided perceptions. Why can they not be content with just being a good neighbour to us, instead of a demanding big brother?

An island family celebrates the 90th birthday of one of its elders. These are not the citizens of a failed state!!