I find it amazing that it hardly got any major media attention that the semi-autonomous state/country of Norfolk island has since the 1st of July 2016 been usurped unlawfully and against the wishes of the citizens by the scum bag Australian government. The Australian government now has full control over the governance of Norfolk Island as opposed to the partial control it had before. Basically what happened is the Australian government strangled their economy by unjust regulation (for example the government did not allow them to establish a full scale offshore banking industry that other tax haven countries have). Also they taxed the island up to 5.6 million AUD per year (the population is less than 2000 so that is a lot for them). Also they claimed/stole the royalties paid by foreign fishing and oil companies (up to 400 million per annum) to operate in waters which are part of Norfolk Islands territory. Imagine if that 400 million in revenue went to Norfolk islands population of less than 2000. They could have no government and simply privatise everything and pay a $200,000 citizens dividend annually to every man, woman and child living in norfolk island. As a result of all of the above Norfolk island ended up in debt to the Australian government to the tune of over $12 million AUD. Then the Australian government told them that they can't manage themselves properly and that they would take over. This was despite a referendum and protests held by the Norfolk Islanders opposing it. Also the Australian government usurped their community radio station and censored/banned negative comments about the Australian government. The people of Norfolk Island will be contesting this unlawful colonialisation of their country in the U.N. court system. Though for now the Norfolk Islanders who were once a free peope, mostly free of the beaurcracy of taxes and big government are now like the rest of Australian citizens including myself indentured servants to the Australian government. Even medieval serfs only had to pay 10% of their production in taxes to their lord and also did not have to deal with a million ridiculous laws and regulations on a day to day basis. Modern Australians are more enslaved than a medieval serf. I feel so sorry for the proud Norfolk Islanders who have now been sentenced to the Australian system of slavery (the welfare/warfare state) and have lost their sovereignity. Their economy will now be cripled by income taxes, capital gains tax, labour regulations, etc.
They have been a part of Australia for a very long time already this change brings them in line with the rest of the country.
I think people should not believe the Australian government propaganda and lies. Firstly read this article below. http://www.norfolkislandundersiege.com/the-facts-vs-propaganda-concerning-norfolk-island/ It states that the Australian government recieves an estimated $5.6 million annually in taxes from Norfolk Island plus an estimated $400 million annually in fishing, mining, etc royalties from activity that takes place in Norfolk Islands exclusive economic zone (i.e. waters owned by Norfolk Island). Secondly Norfolk Island has never been part of Australia. They have their own flag, their own passports and immigration law, their own tax rules, their own language apart from English. Also important legal documents prove that they are not part of Australia and that the Australian government was merely granted some governance authority over them by England. Even the royal Australian mint (not to mention England as well on several occasions) confirmed that Norfolk Island is not part of Australia. See the article below which includes a letter from the royal Australian Mint. http://www.norfolkislandundersiege.com/royal-australian-mint/
Bullion Baron your link actually admits that this fishing indeed takes place within Norfolk Islands exclusive economic zone, but then states that this revenue rightfully belongs to the Australian government. Why does anybody think that this revenue rightfully belongs to the Australian government? Norfolk Islanders should rightfully contest contest this claim in court in my opinion.
http://www.norfolkislandundersiege.com/correcting-misinformation/ Is another good article which combats the Australian media disinfromation campaign.
Norfolk Is. should be a Free port ( Duty Free ), this will attract tourism to the island. Why 12% GST ??? higher than the mainland... ACT please explain !!
I wonder if Norfolk Island could be turned into a private max security prison or migrant processing centre?
The Americans have NATO to legitimize their European military adventures. We should have our own... Perhaps NOPA (Not Organized Pacific Aggression) ... whereby we can abuse all the smaller countries around us, like Norfolk Island, Fiji, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Christmas Island, Nauru, etc.
Bullion Baron, in answer to your question yes, I think Norfolk Island could stand on their own two feet. But only if they have 100% soveriegnity, not the partial soverigenity they had before. Given their tax regime if they were allowed to establish themselves as an offshore tax haven that would bring hundreds of millions a year in revenue to the island. Not to mention having full owenrship of the economic rent from fishing and oil rights in their exclusive economic area. Also what if they kept their duty free status? Surely that would boost tourism spending.
Are Norfolk Islanders Autralian citizens? Is Norfolk Island in Australian territorial waters? What passport do Norfolk Islanders hold and what currency is used in the island? Are Norfolk Islanders obliged to vote in Australian federal elections? Can a resident there claim Medicare and Centrelink and a pension from the federal government?
