Norfolk Island’s Representative at the 2011 Commonwealth Day Celebrations in London was Brent Adams … and he met and spoke with Her Majesty the Queen!

Elsewhere in the Norfolk Islander this week we have published Her Majesty the Queen’s 2011 Commonwealth Day Message together with an overview of how we celebrated Commonwealth Day at home here on Norfolk Island. Your Parliament Your Voice this week is focussing on Brent Adams who represented us in London on this special day.

Our picture shows Brent on the right speaking with Her Majesty and the Commonwealth Secretary General Mr. Kamalesh Sharma.

Brent has sent us his report on the day’s activities and we publish it in full below:

“On Monday 14^th March 2011, I was fortunate enough to be able to represent Norfolk Island at the Commonwealth Day celebrations held in London. Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March each year, the Royal Commonwealth Society organises an observance to mark the occasion. The observance brings together people from across the world to celebrate the special partnership of nations, peoples and ideals which constitutes the modern Commonwealth.

“The Commonwealth is made up by 54 member states stretching to all corners of the globe and encompassing approximately two billion people, over half of whom are women and girls. It seemed appropriate then, that this year’s Commonwealth Day theme was “Women as Agents of Change”. I, along with 46 other young people from the Commonwealth travelled to London to take part in the celebrations, to learn more about the Commonwealth and Parliamentary processes, at the invitation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). On Monday morning we met at the Palace of Westminster and were given a tour of both houses of the UK Parliament, the House of Commons and House of Lords. The history associated with the Palace complex is truly amazing, we walked the same halls that the likes of Winston Churchill have travelled, been in the same room where Kings have laid in state, or traitors have been tried (Guy Fawkes).

“After being welcomed by the CPA Secretary-General, Dr William Shija, we were given presentations about the work of MP’s as well as that of a High Commissioner. I must thank them for giving their time, Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, Mr David Broom MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons & His Excellency Joseph Zammit Tabona, Malta’s High Commissioner to the UK. As this year’s Commonwealth Day theme was “Women as Agents of Change”, it was only fitting that the key note speaker to address our group was The Rt Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar MP, Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, the first woman to hold the office of PM in her country and one of only three women in the Commonwealth to currently serve as Head of Government. She spoke on the troubles that women face in the world and how investing in women and girls can accelerate social, economic and political progress. Prime Minister Bissessar will hand over her role as Chairperson in Office to Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard later this year when Perth will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

“After lunch, we walked the short distance from the CPA office to Westminster Abbey for the main Commonwealth Day Observance. The Observance is a multi-faith gathering, in the presence of HM The Queen & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The Abbey must’ve had well over a thousand people in attendance and showcased the varying cultures of the Commonwealth with performances from some very talented artists.

“HM The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, gave the main address where she spoke on the special and significant role that women play in society and how more needs to be done to encourage women and girls. There followed presentations by other noted citizens of the Commonwealth, from poets to economists. As well as singer Annie Lennox (who I was lucky enough to meet after the service), who shared her experiences about a recent visit to Malawi and discussed her support for HIV/AIDS charities and foundations.

“Later in the evening there was a reception at Marlborough House, headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Of the 46 young people invited by the CPA to attend Commonwealth Day, only about 7 or so tickets were available for the reception, which I was fortunate enough to be one of. Despite there being a few hundred people at the reception, I was extremely honoured to be able to meet The Queen. We spoke briefly about Norfolk Island and about my University exchange here in the UK.

“This trip down to London, to attend Commonwealth Day and represent Norfolk Island, was a once in a life time event for me, and I am extremely honoured to be given the opportunity. In the space of only a day, I met some amazing people from all over the world, saw some incredible sights and have had the privilege to represent my country at this years gathering of the Commonwealth family of nations.

“I would like to thank the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Norfolk Island branch of the CPA, The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hon. Robin Eleanor Adams, and would especially like to say a heart felt thank you to Mrs Gaye Evans, Clerk to the Legislative Assembly.”

Our picture shows young people from around the world chosen to represent their respective countries at the Commonwealth Day Celebrations in London – centre front is Secretary General of the CPA Dr William Shija.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 18 March 2011

Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 9 March 2011

The Legislative Assembly met on Wednesday 9 March 2011 at 10 am; the sitting immediately suspended until 11 am due to a technical glitch with our recording system; the sitting resumed at 11 am and concluded shortly after 5 pm with a lunch break between 12.40 pm and 2 pm.


Condolences were recorded in respect of the passing of Pieter Dirk Johannes Swynenburg, Laurence Pinney Parker, Juliete Quintal and Ernest Francis Quintal.


The Chief Minister reported he had received a letter dated 9 March 2011 from His Honour the Administrator advising that the Administrator had that morning received the resignation in writing of the Hon Craig Anderson MLA, as Minister for Finance and The Attorney General and further advising that the resignation was effective upon its delivery to the Administrator. Mr Anderson has indicated to the Administrator that he will remain, for the time being, a Member of the Legislative Assembly.


Leave of absence from the sitting was extended to Mr Anderson and to Mrs Griffiths.


The first substantive matter on the Programme was a Matter of Public Importance raised by the Chief Minister, the Hon David Buffett AM MLA who reported on his discussions last week with the Federal Minister, the Hon Simon Crean, MP, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government about further short term funding for Norfolk Island, i.e. until the conclusion of the financial year, 30 June 2011 and on the Norfolk Island road map developed in partnership between the Norfolk Island and Commonwealth Governments. The Chief Minister tabled the road map and moved – That the paper be printed. The road map is available on the Telecom website www.ni.net.nf. Copies are also available in both hard copy and electronically from the Offices of the Legislative Assembly by phoning 22003. Discussion ensued with all members participating.


Answers were provided to 11 of the 14 questions on the Notice Paper.


The following papers were tabled:
1. Exemptions approved under the Customs Act 1913 from payment of customs duty;
2. NIGTB GM and Tourism Australia Discussion Update;
3. Virements authorised by executive member under Public Moneys Act 1979;
4. Declarations of Residency during the year end 31 December 2010 granted under the Immigration Act 1980;
5. Inbound passenger statistics for January 2011;
6. Instrument creating a head of the Trust Fund under the Public Moneys Act 1979;
7. Review of Telecommunications Competition on Norfolk Island;
8. Policy on Dental Treatment for Children and Pregnant Women;
9. Review of Renewable Energy Technologies for use on Norfolk Island.


The following statements were made –
• Chief Minister reported –
o On the meeting of S.C.A.G. in Wellington New Zealand last week which was attended by Mr Craig Anderson MLA;
o It was not proposed to set a GEP quote for 2011 under the Immigration Act 1980
• Mr King, in his role of Chairman of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee – advised of his intention to convene the Committee to investigate i) Barter card ii) Telecommunications and iii) NZ Telecom accounts and the report to Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly.


A message from the Office of the Administrator was reported to the House advising that the Administrator had declared his assent to the Provident Account (Amendment) Act 2011.


Outcomes for matters on the Notice Paper which were debated are as follows:


o The House recommended the appointment by the Chief Executive Officer of Mr Bruce Taylor as an Executive Director with the title or designation of Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
o The transfer, subject to specified conditions, of the registration of one unit from “”View Rest Inn” to “Cumberland Resort and Spa” was approved.
o The House noted the answer to a question on notice no. 107 relating to barter card dollars.
o The House agreed the appointment under section 51 of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 (the Act) of CST/Nexia as the Norfolk Island Government Auditor within the meaning of section 51A of the Act for the financial year ending on 30 June 2011; the House further agreed that CST/Nexia also be appointed as the Auditor of the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau for the financial year ending 30 June 2011.
o The Court of Petty Sessions (Amendment) Bill 2011 was introduced and passed through all stages at the sitting. The purpose of the amending Bill is to provide for the Court of Petty Sessions to conduct hearings in New South Wales in limited circumstances.
o The Minister for Tourism, Industry & Development presented the Airport (Amendment) Bill 2011 and the Norfolk Island Government Tourist Bureau (Amendment) Bill 2011; debate on both Bills was adjourned, Copies of the Bills are available on www.info.gov.nf under Legislative Assembly/Bills awaiting passage or from Mrs Jan Keeping in the Legal Services Unit at the Norfolk Island Administration.
o The House agreed that recommendations numbered 1, 2 (a) through to and including (e) and 3 (a) and (b) of the Report of the Impact of Bills and Subordinate Legislation Committee on the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2011 be agreed to and the remainder of the Report noted.
o Debate resumed on the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2010. Detail stage amendments proposed to the bill were tabled and debate on the Bill was adjourned.


International Women’s Day

It was with much pleasure that I accepted the invitation to speak at the International Womens' Day Breakfast last Tuesday 8 March, 2011 at the Paradise Hotel & Resort. The theme this year was “Women Making Changes” and some 75 women and men gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this organisation and to enjoy one another’s company over breakfast. I chose as the theme for my speech the activities that are being planned for Commonwealth Day which will be celebrated next Monday, the 14th of March. This year the Commonwealth Day theme is “Women as Agents of Change” which was most complementary to the theme for International Women’

Commonwealth Day 2011

With the co-operation of the Headmaster Mr Neil Solomon, the School Assembly next week will be held on Monday and the programme for the gathering is focussing around Commonwealth Day 2011. The School Captains and the Youth Assembly will be playing an important role in the proceedings and I as Speaker will be reading the Commonwealth Day Message received from Her Majesty the Queen. In the lead up to Commonwealth Day students at our school were offered the opportunity to enter into a competition to design a poster if they were in infants; and to write an essay if they were in primary or secondary, on a woman who had changed their life, or their family’s lives or the community’s life. We have had a wonderful response, especially from our infants and primary school students and the winners will be announced and receive their awards at the Assembly on Monday. We will also be launching the first volume of our e-book which is created to tell the story of women who have been agents of change in Norfolk Island’s history. The e-book, which is a community project, is designed to grow and grow with time and is to be hosted on the school’s living library website.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 11 March 2011

Sitting of the Legislative Assembly on 2 March 2011

As foreshadowed in last week’s column the sitting of the Legislative Assembly scheduled for 2 March was adjourned until Wednesday 9 March 2011 at 10 am. This decision was taken by Members to accommodate the ministerial visit to Canberra of the Chief Minister and the Minister for Finance and The Attorney-General to have further discussions with Minister Crean, as well as providing them with the opportunity to brief Members on their discussions and to report formally to the House on 9 March 2011. The Ministers return to the Island this weekend.

The Notice Paper for the sitting was published in last weeks Norfolk Islander; however it is anticipated that there will be additional matters introduced into the House on the day by leave of the House. (Leave must be granted without dissenting voice)

International Women’s Day

Tuesday 8 March, 2011 is International Women’s Day celebrating 100 years of International Women’s Day and Women making Changes. This year’s celebrations are being held at the Paradise Hotel & Resort between 7.00 and 9.00 am with special guest speaker Mrs Fenella Evans.

When reading about International Women’s Day and this year’s focus on “Women making Changes” I was prompted to explore the website www.womenasagentsofchange.org.

As you will be aware from earlier columns of Your Parliament Your Voice that Women as agents of change is also the theme for Commonwealth Day 2011. I found the following explanation on what the theme means on the above website and I quote:

“”It means that by investing in women and girls, we can accelerate social, economic and political progress. Women and girls make up over half of the world’s population. In the Commonwealth, that’s over one billion people. By educating them, giving them accessible health care and making sure they are treated fairly and have the same opportunities and protection as men and boys, we can go a long way towards addressing the many problems of the world. Women and girls need to be included at all levels of decision making to ensure that their needs are properly met. This will benefit us all.” End quote.

Next week I will share with you the programme for Commonwealth Day which is being celebrated in a most meaningful way at the Norfolk Island Central School on Monday 14 March 2011. Our photo is of Queen Victoria, the woman who made instrumental change to all of our lives on Norfolk by agreeing the relocation to this Island of the Pitcairn community in 1856.

Issued from the Office of the Speaker on 4 March 2011.