Norfolk is located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. It has 34 square kilometers and 2,300 censed inhabitants -although the actual number of residents could be around 1,600. Part of them are of Australian and New Zealander descent, while others can trace their origins to Tahitian and Pitcairn settlers who arrived to Norfolk 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.

Australia adopted in 1979 the Norfolk Island Act, which granted it legislative and executive powers. Norfolk has a 9-member Parliament and a 4-member government.

An Australian Parliament committee released in 2014 a report on the future of Norfolk, which concluded that the island is going through multiple problems of economic nature, including a growing debt, emigration to Australia because of dire economic perspectives, and crisis in the tourism sector. According to the report, Norfolk would now be bankrupt if the Australian government had not prevented it.

Against this analysis, the committee suggested that the island's institutions of self-government should be replaced by a new local administration, will less autonomous powers and therefore more dependent on Australia. The report argues this is the only way to build a viable economic situation for Norfolk and to ensure that the islanders have rights and living standards similar to those enjoyed by mainland Australians.

Norfolk minister says islanders do not agree with the proposal

Norfolk Minister for Community Services Robin Adams says that the idea that the island can not manage its own economy is false. Adams argues that, since 1979, Norfolk has only needed Australia to help it twice, and only in the form of interest-free loans.

Furthermore, Adams says the parliamentary committee report is not recognizing the distinct character of Norfolk islanders and their Pitcairn origins: this "is distressing to many here on the island," Adams argues in a letter sent to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Adams admits islanders are "divided" on what the best scenario for the future of Norfolk is, but predicts that most Norfolk inhabitants would reject losing self-government if a referendum was held.

A new model "in close consultation" with the community

Australia has not promised to organize a referendum. But a member of the parliamentary committee, Gai Brodtmann, believes Norfolk's new governance model "must be determined in close consultation with the Norfolk Island community." Brodtmann also vows that the new model will help maintain Norfolk's "unique history and culture" while it will ensure "access" by the islanders to "opportunity, equality and fairness, "which the current self-government system does not, according to him.