The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued a number of Tropical Cyclone Advices overnight. As a result of the advice, the Cocos Emergency Management Executive Committee met this morning to discuss and provide the following information:

Following Wednesday’s significant rockfall event at the Kampong, specialist expert risk assessments have been carried out. The Christmas Island (CI) Emergency Management Executive met today to consider the advice from the experts and it was agreed to lift access restrictions to the Kampong from 4pm today.

On behalf of the Australian Government, I am pleased to release the 2019-20 annual report on service provision by Western Australian (WA) state government agencies to the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) communities of Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI).

As Chair of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Regional Development Organisation (RDO), I would like to invite local businesses to register for the Christmas Island Curriculum Vitae (CV).

As Chair of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Regional Development Organisation (RDO), I am pleased to announce the RDO is calling for expressions of interest from local not-for-profit (NFP) groups seeking funding for consulting support to assist in their preparation of applications to round five of the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

I can confirm that following a significant rockfall event at the Kampong at 9am this morning, that access to Flying Fish Cove is restricted to support the emergency response.

The rockfall occurred behind Block 409, also known to locals as behind Metro's (Billy's shop).

The 2019-20 Indian Ocean Territories Health Service (IOTHS) Annual Report showcases the outstanding work done by the committed local health services team to provide high quality, targeted and contemporary health services throughout an extremely challenging year.

As part of the Australian Government’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino MP, is extending the declared states of emergency (SoE) in Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) up until 17 June 2021.

I hope everyone has had a restful and peaceful Easter break. I am taking the opportunity to have a short period of annual leave returning on 14 April 2021.

Aaron O’Neill – the Assistant Secretary of the Indian Ocean Territories Branch in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications – will be acting Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and undertaking my official duties as Administrator.