What is the official status of Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island is part of New South Wales. The entire island is a world heritage listed conservation area. It is governed by the Lord Howe Island board which consists of 4 community members and three others representing business, conservation and Tourism. The board reports directly to the New South Wales Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water. Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are external territories that are governed by the Federal Government. In federal elections they are part of the federal seat of Lingiari – which also includes most of the Northern Territory. Christmas Island has an Administrator. Cocos Islands has a two house system shire council. Norfolk Island is a self-governing autonomous external territory of Australia. It is like a country within a country. While they come under the umbrella of the Australian Commonwealth they have their own flag and international postage stamps. They don’t pay Australian taxes and they are not covered by the Au
