Mr BRIGGS (Mayo—Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development) (13:16): I thank all the members who have participated in the debate on the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 and related bills, particularly the member for Canberra, who has had a long interest; the member for Lingiari; the member for Grayndler, for the contribution he has just made; and the member for Cowan, the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories, who penned the Same country: different world report, which the government is in effect responding to with these changes. I agree with some of the comments from all the speakers. I welcome the support of the Labor Party too, I should mention, for these reforms. It is not just because of one report that we are moving these changes. This has been a long time coming. In fact, the previous government—and I commend the work of the previous minister, Simon Crean, in this respect—took many steps down this path. I also commend the former administrator, Neil Pope, for the work that he did in getting us to this point. A couple of points raised by the member for Grayndler I cannot let pass. The infrastructure on the island—he is right—has not been upgraded since the 1970s. We have begun already a review of what road funding will be required and what we need to do on the island to invest in some of the infrastructure needs, to upgrade the roads and so forth. So we have moved on that already, before the legislation has even passed the parliament. On the Cascade port, it is not true to say that that was cut. That money remained there the whole time. The issue was that it could not be delivered by the Norfolk Island government. So we have said that we will deliver it. We will actually get the project to be not just on a piece of paper, which was so common with the member for Grayndler when he was minister—he would announce projects and they would not actually happen. We are making sure that they are actually delivered. After that bit of partisanship, can I say that this reform will deliver on the election commitment to extend taxation, social security and healthcare services to Norfolk Island. These changes deliver equity to Norfolk Island and ensure residents have access to the essential services that all Australians deserve. This package of bills also delivers much-needed governance reform. Unlike any other community of its size, Norfolk Island is currently required to deliver local, state and federal law. This has not been sustainable, and the situation is now critical. The infrastructure on Norfolk Island is run-down and at risk of collapse. The health system is not up to standard and many laws are out of date. Numerous investigations, including a royal commission, 12 parliamentary inquiries and 20 expert reports, have all called for a change. The Norfolk Island government has also acknowledged that the current arrangements are unsustainable. The Australian government has undertaken extensive consultation, which has demonstrated strong support for change, particularly through the bipartisan nature of this debate. The government will continue to consult with the local community, including on the model for the Norfolk Island Regional Council. Local services will continue to be delivered locally, national services will be delivered by the federal government, and New South Wales will be engaged to provide state-level services. Those who claim that this removes state government are wrong. People on Norfolk Island will vote for local people to represent them on their local issues. They will have a voice in the national parliament, through the member for Canberra, and they will have the opportunity, like never before, to vote not only in federal elections but also in local elections. Consultations will continue to be a very important part of this reform process. I thank the Administrator, Gary Hardgrave, for the work he has done so far with talking to the community, and my department for the hard work they have put into consulting with the community. We are establishing an office on Norfolk Island to ensure that people will be able to access important information so that they can engage with the Australian entitlement system and taxation system. We are also establishing a community consultation committee, which will begin its work when these bills pass the parliament. I am very pleased that the Speaker of the current Norfolk Island parliament, Mr David Buffett, has agreed to participate in that committee. We will make announcements in respect of the other members of that committee in the coming weeks. These reforms will put Norfolk Island on the path to sustainability and will deliver certainty for this unique part of Australia. I commend these bills to the House. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Message from the Governor-General recommending appropriation announced.