As Chair of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Regional Development Organisation (RDO), I am pleased to announce further new initiatives funded by the Australian Government to support job creation and tourism development on Christmas Island (CI), as part of the island's economic recovery from COVID-19.

The Australian Government is implementing a number of relief measures to support electricity customers in Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) households, businesses and community groups on Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and its economic impacts.

Recognising COVID-19 remains a significant threat to the remote and vulnerable Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) communities, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino MP, has agreed to extend the declared states of emergency in Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI), up until 17 December 2020, in line with the national state of emergency.

The following public and bank holidays will be observed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands during 2021:

The Australian Government's Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Power Service is changing the way renewable energy is regulated on Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI), to generate greater local interest in, and uptake of, solar systems.

At 2.38am WST the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) cancelled the warning for Tropical Cyclone Mangga on Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

I have spoken with the Territory Controller, Sergeant David Williams and he has advised that residents can leave their homes from 8: 30 am (Cocos time) Saturday morning, 23 May 2020.

Please ensure your family, friends and neighbours are aware that the Cyclone has now passed.