Norfolk Island Deputy Mayor John McCoy said the township council had not been contacted by the Queensland government and first learned of the proposal through media reports.

However, the island’s federally appointed administrator Eric Hutchinson said residents were kept informed every step of the way.

“It is not my job to really discuss or comment on what discussion might be taking place,” said Hutchinson. “There’s really nothing to be said.”

NSW is paid by the Commonwealth to provide education and health services to Norfolk Island, but announced in 2018 that the agreement would end in June this year.

Last year, the New South Wales government agreed to continue the services through the end of 2021.

Daniel Gschwind, head of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, said he put the idea of ​​taking over the provision of services into practice in a casual conversation with Ms. Palaszczuk.

“We are obviously proud of the more than 2000 islands that we already call part of Queensland – this could add another dimension from a tourist point of view,” said Gschwind.

“It is obviously something that the private sector should lead. There is already a tourism industry there. “

The island attracts around 25,000 visitors annually, with tourism being a central part of the economy. Visitors fly in from Sydney or Brisbane.

Brett Sanderson, a Norfolk Island resident and a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, said residents should be more consulted about a possible change of service provider.

“Who is going to raise our children and take care of our elderly and sick? This is where the community really needs to be consulted,” said Sanderson.

“Right now it’s like colonialism. The island is run from Canberra. “

He said Queensland is “all about money” as they looked at the funds they would get by providing services to Norfolk Island.

“NSW got out of the contract after five years because the government didn’t pay enough,” he said.

“Queensland has enough islands of its own.”

Mr Sanderson’s comments come as Prime Minister Palaszczuk calls for the JobKeeper wage subsidy to be extended beyond March to prop up the tourism industry – a call backed up by Victoria and Federal Labor.

This was put down by Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and criticized by NSW Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian, who said Ms. Palaszczuk was now a victim of her own border closings.

Mr Stanhope said Queensland should stay away from the service agreement to encourage the Commonwealth to give Norfolk Island residents more autonomy.

“Who thinks Queensland should come in as a colonial overlord?” he said.

Mr Sanderson said residents wanted a new model of government for the island after the majority opposed the abolition of self-government in 2015.

Cr McCoy said the services NSW provided were top notch, but residents wanted to know more about their own futures.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.

Despite their disagreements, people agreed that Norfolk Island is a special place with beautiful scenery and a rich history that dates back to the early days of European arrival in Australia.

Mr. Hutchinson said it was a “South Pacific Gem”.

“It’s a really special and amazing place,” he said.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR