Norfolk Island Government Profile 2001

Country name

conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island

conventional short form: Norfolk Island

Dependency status

territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories

Government type

NA

Capital

Kingston

Administrative divisions

none (territory of Australia)

Independence

none (territory of Australia)

National holiday

Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856)

Constitution

Norfolk Island Act of 1979

Legal system

based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997)

head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Ronald Coane NOBBS (since 23 February 2000)

cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the Administrator

elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003)

election results: Ronald Coane NOBBS elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA%

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)

elections: last held 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

International organization participation

none

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of Australia)

Flag description

three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band