The following is a letter I have written to our local media in response to an action taken by our current Administration. A group of health professionals visited the island to examine our health system, and make recommendations for the future. They were to meet with a range of stakeholders. Our Hospital Board requested a meeting with them, but the request was refused. The Chair was allowed to "walk through" the hospital with the group and other "stakeholders", but that was all. The Board consists of four very honourable locals, and it is probably because their views on Norfolk's preferred future do not coincide with those of the Commonwealth Govt, that they are not being allowed a voice. However, these people are very much in a position to voice the genuine concerns and questions of a large percentage of the population, and could be helpful in obtaining the best outcomes for the Norfolk Island people.
The letter follows:
For those who had any lingering doubts, the Commonwealth and its officers
have now emphatically confirmed that they are engaged in a farcical process.
They bring over health professionals to talk to stakeholders about our health
and medical needs, but do not allow them to speak to our own Hospital Board,
which is there to represent the interests of the community. This is a shameful
manipulation of the facts and the agenda.
We realised that their view of “consultation” was something of a joke last
year when Ms Vivian Twyford was engaged (at considerable expense) to conduct a
public forum. Because the outcome of that meeting was not what they expected,
and the “vocal minority” turned up in overwhelming numbers, the findings were
ignored, and from that time on, it was decided they would only consult with
people who would tell them what they wanted to hear.
And so we have an Advisory Council, self-nominated and unelected, happily
ticking off the boxes all for show. Behind the scenes, the decisions are being
made by others, regardless of what you and I, or the AC for that matter, think
or suggest. On the very same morning of the AC’s second public meeting, where we
were to be asked to give input into matters of service delivery – including the
matter of tourist promotion – we found out that the Tourist Board had been made
defunct, and the role of the General Manager for Tourism would cease in early
December. Another blow against local input.
Our Norfolk Government was accused of incompetence, but that just pales
into insignificance as we watch the Commonwealth bumbling through this
“reform”process, making it up as they go along, unable to answer our questions,
and casting a shadow of uncertainty, frustration and distress over our island.
Meanwhile, they completely ignore and devalue the caring commitment, skills and
experience that this Norfolk Island community has demonstrated in making things
work on this island up till now.
Responding to the Advisory Council discussion papers and surveys is like
being asked to choose the manner of your own execution. Most of us want to move
forward. But we, as the stakeholders, should be the ones who decide who and what
we take with us in the reform process, and be satisfied that it is better than
what we had before. At this stage, the Commonwealth’s report card has a massive
“FAILED” in big red letters.
From an official level, barely a mention has been made of the Norfolk
Islanders and their special connection with this island. However, I am aware of
allegations of comments made privately and unofficially about a “final
solution.” Former Minister Briggs publicly referred to them as the “ruling
families” and falsely claimed that a rigged electoral system (imposed by
Canberra, by the way) was keeping them in power in the days of self-government.
Most of the talk has been about Norfolk being part of the Australian story, but
not a mention of the unique and separate story of this island’s community.
In the rush to make Norfolk Island just another part of regional Australia
and cement in their claim to our resources, the Commonwealth is trampling on the
basic human rights of the Norfolk Island people, and seem hell-bent on making
them irrelevant, even invisible. For how much longer are they going to treat the
good and honourable people of this island with such contempt?
Mary Christian-Bailey
