Announcing local election and future air services for Norfolk Island

The first election for the Norfolk Island Regional Council will be held on Saturday 28 May 2016, Minister Fletcher announced today.

“In line with similar sized councils in New South Wales, the Norfolk Island Regional Council will consist of five Councillors who will be elected for a four-year term and a Mayor will be directly elected by the Councillors each year,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The structure and arrangements for the Norfolk Island Regional Council will align with those for NSW local governments and the NSW Local Government Act, as far as possible.

“Using the well-established framework for local government elections under NSW law makes much more sense than reinventing the wheel,” Mr Fletcher said.

To be eligible to vote in the election on 28 May 2016, you will need to be:

• an Australian citizen living on Norfolk Island; or
• an Australian citizen not living on Norfolk Island, but owning land or a business on the island.

These are similar rules as apply in local council elections in NSW.

“Voting will be compulsory for those people who are Australian citizens living on Norfolk Island and no elector will be entitled to more than one vote,” Mr Fletcher said.

Mr Fletcher said he looks forward to announcing details of the framework and functions of the local council in the near future.

Mr Fletcher also announced that Air New Zealand has been chosen as the preferred provider of air services to Norfolk Island following a recent tender. A contract with Air New Zealand is expected to be finalised in the coming months.

“Air New Zealand is continuing to take travel bookings and I thank them for delivering this consistently high quality service which is critical in supporting tourism and the local economy,” Mr Fletcher.

Mr Fletcher said he was looking forward to visiting Norfolk Island on 28 and 29 January to meet with a broad range of people from the community to discuss the reforms.

 Media Contact – Catherine McDonald 0447 066 213