On the day after tomorrow, the once autonomous territory of Norfolk Island will be part of Australia, ruled by a regional council instead of its own legislative assembly. Australia's parliament abolished self-rule just over a year ago and, as we hear from Neal Conan in the Pacific News Minute, many Norfolk Islanders aren't happy about it.
In 1856, the abandoned penal colony became home to overflow population from Pitcairn Island. Yes, the descendants of Fletcher Christian and the other mutineers from HMS Bounty. The Australian Parliament granted limited autonomy in 1979 and for many years, Norfolk Island prospered as a duty-free vacation spot 900 miles east of the mainland. Tourists could basically pay for their airfare with savings on perfume and alcohol and appliances.
But once the tax holiday ended, the population of about two thousand fell on hard times. Last year, Canberra rescinded its autonomy and, starting July 1st, Norfolk Island will be part of the Australian Capital Territory, which is roughly analogous to Washington DC - entirely within, but legally distinct from the State Of New South Wales. So Norfolk Islanders do get to vote in federal elections, but have no say in the state parliament, even though its laws will apply.
Which is one of many reasons a Group Called Norfolk Island People for Democracy petitioned the United Nations for status as a non-self-governing territory, arguing that Australia is attempting to recolonize the island. As many as a hundred protesters a night have camped out on the grounds of the closed Legislative assembly.
