Norfolk Islanders are heading Friday 8th to polls in a non-binding referendum on the future of their self-government. The island's government refuses Australian government plans to end the autonomy of Norfolk in 2016. Islanders are asked to decide whether they want to demand from Australia an official referendum on the issue.

Tomorrow's referendum question is: "Should the people of Norfolk Island have the right to freely determine their political status, their economic, social and cultural development and be consulted at referendum or plebiscite on the future model of governance for Norfolk Island before such changes are acted on by the Australian Parliament?"

The Australian Parliament approved in March a decision to put an end to the autonomy of Norfolk. Canberra argues Norfolk does not have enough resources of its own to sustain itself. This, according to the Australian government, results in the island's 1,800-strong population having lower standards of living and worse public services than those enjoyed by mainland Australians.

According to Australian government plans, Norfolk is set to lose its own legislative assembly -which currently has wide self-government powers- in July 2016, to be replaced by a regional council with fewer competencies. From then onwards, Norfolk Islanders will be integrated into the Australian tax, health and benefit system.

Welfare should be separated from autonomy debate, says Norfolk government

Norfolk Chief Minister Lisle Snell believes welfare issues should not be mixed with the autonomy debate. Snell says organizing an official referendum on self-government in no way should mean to postpone integration of Norfolk Islanders into the Australian social service system starting from July 2016.

Among reasons to preserve autonomy, the Norfolk government argues that "some Norfolk Islanders identify as being of Pitcairn-Norfolk descent and with that comes a distinct culture and traditions that must be respected and treasured," Minister of Cultural Heritage and Community Services Robin Adams says.

Part of Norfolk Islanders are of Australian and New Zealander descent, while others can trace their origins to Tahitian and Pitcairn settlers who arrived to the island in the 19th century. Norfolk has two official languages: English and Norfuk, an English-based creole spoken by descendants of Pitcairn settlers. In practice, English is the dominant language.

Further information:

• Follow-up on Nationalia: Norfolk Island autonomy under threat