Changes have been made to the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 to allow asbestos to be exported from Norfolk Island.

The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities worked closely with the Department of Jobs and Small Business and the Department of Home Affairs to change the law so that asbestos, and goods containing asbestos, can be exported from Norfolk Island to mainland Australia for disposal.

Some 30,000 people travelled to Norfolk Island as air passengers in 2018–19, boosting the Island's tourism activity and economic opportunities.

With the Australian Government committed to keeping the local community informed on services and trends, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development has now released the second Airline Services for Norfolk Island fact sheet, summarising passenger data for the second half of the 2018–19 financial year.

The Australian Government understands the importance of reliable freight services to the Norfolk Island community and has now finalised arrangements for subsidised air freight flights to and from the Island from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.

Following an approach to market, the Australian Government has invested $600,000 to contract TOLL to provide up to 20 subsidised air freight flights over the next 12 months, subject to commercial demand and weather conditions.

Media release

03 May 2017

Today I"m pleased to confirm that two charter flights have been commissioned to address the issue of freight waiting for shipment to Norfolk Island. These flights will operate on May 19 and 20 and should clear the known backlog of freight at Sydney and Brisbane airports.

25 November is White Ribbon Day. This day marks a national, male-led campaign to end men's violence against women.

I will be inviting the Norfolk Island community to stand up and join me with your support (along with the many supporters across Australia, and globally) through participating in events to raise awareness and community discussion of these important issues.

Media release

09 August 2017

Media release

22 September 2017

The Australian Government is modernising laws on Norfolk Island to protect children, women and all other residents against criminal violence and other illegal acts.

As the representative of the Australian Government on Island, I seek feedback from the Norfolk Island community on these changes, including:

I am pleased to announce that Senator the Hon Fiona Nash, Minister for Local Government and Territories, has appointed Ms Wendy Cull to the office of Chief Magistrate of the Court of Petty Sessions of Norfolk Island, for a period of five years commencing this week.

Recently I provided advice to the community about several proposed changes to Norfolk Island legislation.

The Governor-General, General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), made the Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No 1) Ordinance 2017 on 18 May 2017which will bring these changes into effect.