This report examines the prospects for economic development in the wake of a marked decline in tourist visitors, a serious budget deficit, and ongoing financial management concerns.

The Committee’s terms of reference were to focus on the prospects for economic development in the wake of a marked decline in tourist visitors, a serious budget deficit, and ongoing financial management concerns. There is an ever increasing reliance on the Commonwealth Government for financial and other assistance, just to keep basic services going for Norfolk Islanders. A consistent theme throughout the inquiry, from witnesses and experts, was that economic development is simply not possible without the establishment of new governance arrangements.