The 20th and the 27th of October 2010 are two significant dates to mark on our calendars as dates that are benchmarks in Norfolk Island’s evolution.

The 20th of October 2010 marks the 30th Anniversary of the granting and assigning of the Armorial Ensigns for Norfolk Island by Her Majesty the Queen at Court on board H.M. Yacht Britannia on 20 October 1980.


The Royal Warrant describes the Armorial Ensigns as follows, quote:

“Arms: Per chevron Azure and Argent in chief two Mullets of the Cast and in base issuant from a Rocky Mount charged with a Book expanded proper edged Or leathered Gules a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria excelsa) proper And for the Crest Out of a Naval Crown Azure a demi Lion Or gorged with a Laurel Wreath proper and holding a Covered Cup Or, and for Supporters On the dexter side a Lion and on the sinister side a Kangaroo proper each resting the exterior foreleg on an Anchor erect Azure”. End quote

On 22 January 1981 the Chief Minister of Norfolk Island issued a memorandum advising that The Queen had signed the Royal Warrant granting Arms to Norfolk Island. By the same memorandum, it was advised that the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms should be used in Norfolk Island circumstances in lieu of the Australian Coat of Arms. The Chief Minister instructed the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms should appear, inter alia, on –

a) All stationary of the Norfolk Island Administration;
b) All forms, especially formal certificates and licences used and issued by the Administration (unless of a minor nature in which no Coat of Arms is used);
c) On the title page of printed enactments;
d) In addition, uniformed staff should incorporate the Norfolk Island Coat of Arms on shoulder flashes, pockets or otherwise as appropriate (e.g. Police, Norfolk Island Customs, Quarantine, Fire officers, etc). Government instrumentalities not part of the Administration are allowed to use the Coat of Arms.

Quoting from a letter dated 11 February 1987 from the Garter, Principal King of Arms, London, “The Armorial Bearings have become those of Norfolk Island by the highest authority, that of Her Majesty The Queen and they are entered in the Records of the College of Arms accordingly, the concern of the College and the Kings of Arms being that the Laws of Arms in such respect should be observed……The entitlement to bear and use Armorial Bearings is an honour in the nature of a Dignity…” end quote.

A small exhibition of pertinent memorabilia, including a copy of the Warrant, is being mounted by our Museum Curator Mrs Lisa Richards in the ante-chamber to the Legislative Assembly Chamber and will be available for viewing by arrangement with the Clerk to the Legislative Assembly, Mrs Gaye Evans JP, from Wednesday 20th October.

The Supreme Court Act (Norfolk Island) was assented to in 1960 – 50 years ago and a number of activities have been arranged by His Honour the Administrator in consultation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chief Minister of the Norfolk Island Government between the 26th and 28th of October 2010 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court in Norfolk Island. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island, the Hon. Peter Jacobson, the Hon. Justice Gary Downes AM and the Hon Justice Bruce Lander will join us to commemorate the Anniversary. In addition to meeting with Members of the Assembly at morning tea on the 26th of October, the Justices will be guests of the Legislative Assembly when they participate in debate on the floor of the House at a Ceremonial Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday 27th October at 11 am. The Sitting will be broadcast live from Kingston. A Ceremonial sitting of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island will follow.

Part VII of the Norfolk Island 1979 (Commonwealth) deals with the Judicial System on Norfolk Island including the Constitution of the Supreme Court, Appointment of Judges and their remuneration and allowances, and of course the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. If you would like to find out more the link to the Norfolk Island Act 1979 is http://admindata/legislation/NorfolkIslandAct.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 15 October 2010 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com/

Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf

56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference - Kenya

Norfolk Island has a voice at the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Nairobi Kenya – continued from Your Parliament Your Voice published on 2 October 2010
The Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Lisle Snell, has provided the following brief summary on his participation at the plenary conference and at the Small Branches Conference.

“Norfolk Island is included as a part of the Australian Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (the CPA) which comprises all Australian States and Territories with the exception of Cocos Island and Christmas Island. Madam Speaker has reported in an earlier issue of Your Parliament Your Voice on Norfolk Island’s role in the CPA and that it s one of the few forums in which Norfolk participates internationally in our own right so I will only say that we have sent delegates annually to this major parliamentary conference since 1979. The opportunity to be part of this global network is hugely important, particularly to small governments with democratic responsibility such as we have. If Norfolk was not there we would be forgotten very quickly and any help we may require would be difficult to obtain.

“Within the CPA, Norfolk Island is well known and respected as a successful and stable democratic government.

Commencing the day after my arrival, I attended workshops and seminars, starting with the Small Branches Conference where matters of mutual interest were debated. Major topics covered in the Small Branches Conference were Energy and Environment; Achieving Sustainable Development; The Challenges of Sovereignty in Small States; The Effect of ‘Political’ Corruption in Small States; and Parliament and Accountability – Strengthening Over-Sight in Small States. To expand on some of the issues raised in debate relevant to Norfolk.

• Waste Management – Norfolk was advised to pursue the pit burner disposal system in lieu of expensive high heat incinerators. Jersey spent 100 million on a high heat incinerator and are not happy with the result.
• Nepotism – A concern but unavoidable in small countries and need not be a major concern provided proper policy is followed.
• Small Governments suffer the same accusations of “doing well- they must be corrupt” or “Going bad – They must be incompetent.”
• Make all government contracts and results of building process public
• Protect land for food production
• Small countries must be alert to changes around them ie territorial waters
• Changes to historic rights must be open and debated – changes must not impede the rights of people and trade
• Cultural sovereignty versus economic and social rule
• All peoples have rights of self determination
• Economic Sovereignty – protection of natural resources
• National pride and cultural rights
• Must protect energy sources and security – No country can prosper without energy
• Retain close partnership with a major country

I appreciated the opportunity to be part of this CPA Conference and I hope the experience will benefit both my own and Norfolk’s parliamentary future”..

Regrettably space does not permit inclusion of Part 2 of the CPA News Release this week.

Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 (Commonwealth)
The Hansard of introductory remarks made by Federal Minister Simon Crean MP when introducing the Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 (Commonwealth) into the House of Representatives on 29 September 2010 an be accessed on http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr290910.pdf.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 8 October 2010

Assembly documents can be accessed on www.info.gov.nf

Norfolk Island flies the flag Internationally!

Norfolk Island is in the news and its flag flying high around the globe …..

“Norfolk Island becomes first nation to hoist flag at Village” was the heading to a media release received from New Delhi last Tuesday where our 33-member Commonwealth Games delegation were reported to have “clapped and swayed to the tunes of bhangra and fusion music played by students of a city school in their honour.”. The press release went on to say “The delegation, comprising 22 athletes, had moved into the Village on Sunday. The members were today out strolling in the hot sun to get a feel of the entire 63.5 hectare area of the campus….”. Well done Norfolk.

Norfolk Island has a voice at the 56^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held in Nairobi Kenya

The Norfolk flag was also proudly displayed by the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Lisle Snell MLA, who represented Norfolk Island at the 56^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference held two weeks ago in Nairobi Kenya. Our photo shows the Deputy Speaker during one of the plenary sessions. On the opposite page is part 1 of a News Release issued by CPA Headquarters in London at the conclusion of the CPA Conference. We will conclude the press release in next week’s Your Parliament Your Voice along with a Report by Deputy Speaker Snell on his participation at the plenary conference and at the Small Nations Conference.

National Police Remembrance Day

On Wednesday 29 September 2010 the Chief Minister, the Hon David Buffett AM MLA, and I, as the Speaker, attended the National Police Remembrance Day Service which was held at 10 am in All Saints Church at Kingston. A very moving service was conducted under the guidance of the Reverend Canon Stuart Broughton. Warm words of welcome and remembrance were spoken, hymns of inspiration were sung and prayers were read, including The Police Prayer read by the Chief Minister; and the poem I Am (Remembrance) read by Mr George Smith AM, former Chief Minister & Minister for Police in the Norfolk Island Government.

Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 (Commonwealth)

Norfolk Island is in the news in Canberra – this time in the Commonwealth of Australia Parliament – where on 29 September 2010 the Federal Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP, tabled the Territories Law Reform Bill 2010 in the Federal Parliament. Readers will recall that this Bill, which was on referral to the Australian Senate, lapsed with the double dissolution of the Federal Parliament earlier this year. Debate on the Bill stands adjourned. For Hansard of debate on the Bill when introduced go to http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr290910.pdf.

The Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water is the leader of the Nationals in the Senate; Senator Barnaby Joyce. He replaces Hon Bruce Bilson who was the Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Tourism in the previous opposition government. Hon Bruce Bilson is now Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 1 October 2010 and posted on the blog site http://yourparliamentyourvoice.blogspot.com/

Assembly documents can now be accessed on www.info.gov.nf