Norfolk Island Restoration of Democracy: Grievances and Objections in Relation to the Process & Outcomes of the Norfolk Island Governance Committee (NIGC)

Presidents David Buffett, Norfolk Island Council of Elders (COE) and Ric Robinson, Norfolk Island People for Democracy (NIPD) today jointly signed the official Document of Grievances in respect of the Norfolk Island Governance Committee Process and Outcomes.

This official document has been lodged with the Australian Prime Minister as a joint Complaint by NIPD & COE. Previous correspondence from the COE & NIPD that cautioned the responsible Minister against repeating the 2016 mistake of imposing a governance model over Norfolk Island that does not have the endorsement of the people, has not elicited any recourse on the Australian Governments behalf.

The NIGC was established in response to advocacy by the Norfolk Island People for Democracy and the Council of Elders, who offered to work jointly to develop a framework for a return to self-government for Norfolk Island. This opportunity has been completely undermined and these failings are identified in the official document which can be accessed at https://www.nipeoplefordemocracy.com/reference-documents

It is hoped Prime Minister Albanese will see the need to give this matter his urgent attention and avoid an unnecessary repeat of the failings of another imposed inappropriate governance system for Norfolk Island. In particular, the failure to address the overreach of external bureaucracy that undermines Norfolk Islands representative democracy and authority.

We will keep the community informed of progress with this complaint.

Norfolk Island People for Democracy & Norfolk Island Council of Elders

22 May 2025