The Norfolk Island government has formally condemned Canberra's plans to abolish its legislature and remove its self government powers.
The Australian parliament is currently considering legislation to end the limited self government that has existed on Norfolk for nearly 40 years and replace it with a regional council.
In a statement the Norfolk government's culture minister Robin Adams says they are happy to see the extension of social security and health services.
But she says Canberra must recognise some Norfolk Islanders are of Pitcairn-Norfolk descent and have a distinct culture and tradition that must be respected and treasured.
Norfolk Island Photo: AFP
The environment minister Ron Ward says Norfolk's preferred model of self-government is that policy-makers in their own regions are best placed to understand the needs of their own communities and provide the appropriate solutions.
He says the Norfolk model acknowledges the need for reform while maintaining an appropriate input to policy.
The finance minister Tim Sheridan says under Norfolk's preferred model the Commonwealth systems would still be available but a meaningful governing body would still be representing the island's community, not a regional council managing waste, cats and dogs.
