ADMINISTRATOR'S FORUM MARK 2

I wrote this piece for Norfolk Online after a request for a report of Wednesday's "Consultation." It seems I was a little late for the deadline but hopefully they will be able to publish it.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 19^th November, the second Forum/Consultation organised by the Administrator Hon. Gary Hardgrave took place in Rawson Hall. Early in the meeting, one of the participants questioned the earlier time, because it made it difficult for many tradesmen, business people and administration employees to attend. There were, in fact, probably a little over 150 people in attendance, including three plain clothes members of the Police Force in the gallery overseeing proceedings! According to my notes, between 35 -40 of that number chose to speak during the afternoon, some at more than one time.

Instead of an independent facilitator, the Administrator elected to moderate the meeting, using his own agenda and a series of discussion questions he had prepared based on some of the infrastructure and economic issues  identified in Recommendations 3-8 of the latest Joint Standing Committee report.

The responses were a little less emotional than those during the previous week’s forum, and many practical issues relating to Cascade Pier, airlines, roads, tourism, business, local industry and taxation were canvassed. It was helpful in some ways for the Administrator himself to be able to give some advice on the Commonwealth position on these issues. However, some of the most factual information on Tourism and Airlines issues was given by a member of out own Government’s secretariat.

It was noted that a significant number of the participants stressed that our own government had done a creditable job of managing the island’s infrastructure to date, and wanted to see them have carriage of future undertakings. It was pointed out by one speaker that the actual recommendations of the J.S.C. report seek to have the Commonwealth take over the responsibility for all these matters. I noted that affirmations of support for our own elected government tended to elicit some eye rolling from the moderator.

The Administrator attempted to keep the meeting focussed solely on his questions, and restrained any effort on the part of speakers to broaden the discussion or to challenge the Commonwealth’s position or assumptions. One speaker was effectively gagged by having the sound to his microphone disconnected.

The Administrator’s unequivocal statement that “Taxation and Welfare changes ARE going to come”  led to many voicing concerns about businesses, already operating in a fragile environment, being able to remain viable and competitive under a new regime. They did not appear to gain much reassurance from promises of bucketloads of money that would be sent our way, or being able to write off business overheads when preparing tax returns.

It was pleasing to note that in spite of the challenging times in recent years, Norfolkers still have optimistic visions for the island’s future, and confidence in our ability to see them through. However, judging from the comments I overheard at the end of the meeting, and discussions I have been part of since, I do not feel that they have the same confidence in the consultation process. They feel that for the island’s people and their elected representatives, it should also involve some negotiation and mutual agreements for a win-win situation. If the Commonwealth really wants to listen to and understand  Norfolkers, they should perhaps start asking the right questions.