The Norfolk ISLANDER The World of Norfolk’s Community Newspaper for more than 50 Years FOUNDED 1965 Successors to - The Norfolk Island Pioneer c. 1885 The Weekly News c 1932 : The Norfolk Island Monthly News c. 1933 The N.I. Times c. 1935 : Norfolk Island Weekly c. 1943 : N.I.N.E. c. 1949 : W.I.N. c. 1951 : Norfolk News c. 1965 Volume 50, No. 14 SATURDAY, 6th JUNE 2015 Price $2.75 Appointments at the Australian Government Information Centre can now be made From Tuesday 9 June until Friday 12 June 2015, the Norfolk Island community are encouraged to make a time to speak with visiting Australian Government staff about government payments, visas and tax. The new Australian Government Information Centre is located at the World Traders Building in Burnt Pine and will open during business hours on weekdays. The community can access computer terminals to source information, brochures, factsheets and other materials. Staff will be available in the centre by appointment, to answer your individual questions, discuss your Appointment of Norfolk Island general situation and also explain changes for the Advisory Council Chair Norfolk Island community that commence from 1 04 June 2015 July 2016. Staff will help you to understand how these I am pleased to announce that Ms Melissa Ward changes will affect you, and what you may have to do has been appointed as Chair of the Norfolk Island to prepare for them. Advisory Council. Information available during this period will Melissa Ward’s leadership, governance and include: community engagement skills will be of great benefit - the tax system, including what you will pay tax on for the people of Norfolk Island and ensure the and how much tax you might have to pay reform process is inclusive and reflects the unique - a broad range of government payments and services requirements of this very special part of Australia. for individuals including Medicare, Age Pension, The Norfolk Island Advisory Council will play a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Disability critical role in representing the local community and Support Pension, Farm Household Allowance, in shaping the future governance model for Norfolk Sickness Allowance, Newstart Allowance and Island. concession cards (continued inside) (continued overleaf) P&RP&R GroceriesGroceries PinnaclesPinnacles Takeaways Takeaways SaturdaySaturday—Thursday—Thursday till till 9pm 9pm PhonePhone 23474 23474 (2FISH) (2FISH) FridayFriday night night to to 10pm! 10pm! OpenOpen Wednesday Wednesday——SundaySunday 5pm 5pm——88pmpm Appointments at the Australian Government Notification about information sessions over the Information Centre can now be made - continued coming months, including opening hours, will be - student payments, child support, payment for carers, communicated widely, including through Radio and family assistance payments to help with the Norfolk 89.9FM, on the website www.infrastructure. cost of raising children. gov.au/norfolk-island-reform, The Norfolk Islander Department of Immigration and Border Protection newspaper, a fortnightly Norfolk Island Reform staff will also be available to meet with New Zealand newsletter, notices in the new Information Centre and and other non-Australian citizens by appointment to brochures in post boxes. discuss transitioning them from Norfolk Island permits While all efforts will be made to assist residents to an Australian visa, and discuss requirements for where possible, staff at the Information Centre will Australian citizenship. only be able to answer general questions and provide Immigration staff are particularly interested to general information on the reforms and how these may meet with community members who are not Australian affect you. citizens to gain an understanding of their circumstances, Individual circumstances can vary. Residents such as their length of time on the island, the type of should pause and make considered and fully informed permit they are on and their long term intentions, to decisions that may have major financial implications ensure their situation is encompassed in the proposed for them, especially as Australia’s social security, model to transition them to an Australian visa. taxation, immigration and health systems will not be The Information Centre is part of the community formally extended to the Island until 1 July 2016. support provided by the Australian Government To make an appointment for the June visit, please leading up to the implementation of changes which contact the Office of the Administrator on 22152 or will begin on 1 July 2016. email [email protected] FMX BMX FREESTYLE BATTLE.... 18 Dec ‘15! on the Rock SATURDAY Partly cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of showers. MONDAY Partly cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of a shower. S/SE winds 05/10 knots. Slight to moderate seas on a E/SE winds 10/20 knots. Min: 15 Max: 20 moderate S/SW swell. Min: 15 Max: 20 SUNDAY Partly cloudy. Slight (30%) chance of showers. SE winds 10/20 knots. Min: 15 Max: 20 POPULATION STATISTICS - PEOPLE ON ISLAND WEEK ENDING RES GEP TEP VISITORS UEP OTHER TOTAL 9th April 2015 1333 43 52 646 216 2290 16th April 2015 1277 40 52 746 219 2334 23rd April 2015 1370 39 56 623 225 2313 7th May 2015 1417 26 47 837 217 2544 14th May 2015 1390 20 49 552 219 2230 21st May 2015 1401 12 49 643 221 2326 TAYLORS ROAD EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: (Int + 6723) 22405 WEBSITE: www.petesplace.nlk.nf FAX: (Int + 6723) 23098 Appointment of Norfolk Island working to build a stronger and more prosperous future for the people of Norfolk Island. Advisory Council Chair For information about the Norfolk Island reforms, (continued from front page) visit I will be seeking advice from the Council on the www.infrastructure.gov.au/norfolk-island-reform. following key issues. - The Norfolk Island Regional Council model. Ms Melissa Ward—curriculum vitae - The transition of Norfolk Island Administration Experience: staff to the Norfolk Island Regional Council. - MLA—Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly— - The phasing in of state law, keeping in mind March 2010—Present (5 years 5 months) the need to prioritise economic development, - Member of the Immigration Committee 2010– community safety and sustainable government 2013 while responding to the unique circumstances on - Member of the Social Services Committee 2010– Norfolk Island. 2014 The Australian Government will continue to - Chair of the Norfolk Island Education Review actively engage with the local community to ensure 2013/14 all residents are well informed and have a strong voice - Member of the Commonwealth Women’s during the transition period. Parliamentarian’s Association Regional Steering Reforms to Norfolk Island will improve service Committee for Norfolk Island 2014/2015 delivery, boost economic growth and ensure local - Founding member of the Norfolk Island Mental residents have access to the same level of essential Health Support Group—2012 services and entitlements as those residing on the mainland and other external territories. The Australian Government is already working to improve Norfolk Island’s infrastructure with N.I. Pest Control WorleyParsons Services Limited progressing upgrades For all your pest control needs to the Cascade Jetty and developing a comprehensive Domestic and Commercial Services road strategy to deliver significant improvements to the island’s road system. CONTACT DUNCAN GRAY The remaining appointments for the Advisory PHONE / FAX 23034 • MOBILE 50541 Council will soon be announced so we can keep FLYING FROM NORFOLK ISLAND TO AUCKLAND: Choose ONE of four ways to fly One Way $180.50 $205.50 $235.50 $315.50 From: Return From: $373.60 $423.60 $483.60 $643.60 SPECIAL FARES AVAILABLE TO ALL OF AIR NEW ZEALAND’S DOMESTIC NZ PORTS Sales Period: 07 – 15 June 2015 Travel Period: 28 June 2015 – 20 March 2016 – BLACKOUT DATES APPLY *Subject to availability *Conditions apply, credit card fee not included. Price in AUD dollars. Includes service fees. *Ticketing – 24 hours after reservations are made. Tell your friends they can join our Special Email List too. Contact us today. OPEN TILL 4PM EVERY WEDNESDAY Protecting potato and tomato Do You Need A Good Laugh? crops: an information session on With far too many political issues of late, and too many stressed and concerned people in our community Liberibacter and its psyllid vector – Norfolk Amateur Theatrical Society (NATS) thought that we could all use a good belly laugh. So we have Location: A&H Hall put together a fun night of entertainment called “Skits Date and time: Thursday 25 June, 6-7 pm & Bits”. Cost: Free and an appetite to learn Be prepared to see things you would never have expected, see people on stage who have never been Liberibacter, and the psyllid insect that transmits there before, and to see things that are guaranteed to the bacterium, are now firmly established on Norfolk make you laugh. Skits & Bits is the concept of Rose Island and are severely affecting tomato, potato and Evans who likes to get as many people on stage as capsicum production. possible - without numerous, strict rehearsals or too The Plant Biosecurity CRC, which involves plant much effort. “If the performers are having fun then the health specialists from Australia and New Zealand, has audience will too” says Rose. “It’s all about having initiated a small research project to better understand a go... whether that be acting, singing, dancing, or the biology of the bacterium and the insect on the Directing... Skits & Bits allows an everyday person Island. to dabble in the Theatrical arena and express their The joint Australia and New Zealand research team creative side.” is visiting the island from 20-27 June and will provide With assistance from her talented and supportive a brief information session on Thursday night during friends Cristina McRitchie and Shelley Mitchell, Rose this week. After presentations on biology, recognition has managed to gather 30 people from our community and control of the insect and bacterium, the floor will to perform Skits, Songs, Dances and “other things”! be opened for a Q&A session.