|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
|
|
Dependency status:
|
territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport, and Territories
|
|
Government type:
|
NA
|
|
Capital:
|
Kingston
|
|
Administrative divisions:
|
none (territory of Australia)
|
|
Independence:
|
none (territory of Australia)
|
|
National holiday:
|
Pitcairners Arrival Day, 8 June (1856)
|
|
Constitution:
|
Norfolk Island Act of 1979
|
|
Legal system:
|
based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law
|
|
Suffrage:
|
18 years of age; universal
|
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997)
election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA%
elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia; chief minister elected by the Legislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years; election last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004)
head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Geoffrey Robert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001)
cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator
|
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 29 November 2001 (next to be held by December 2004)
election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
|
|
Judicial branch:
|
Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions
|
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
none
|
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
none
|
|
International organization participation:
|
none
|
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
none (territory of Australia)
|
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
none (territory of Australia)
|
|
Flag description:
|
three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band
|
