Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia but enjoys a large degree of self-governance. Together with two neighbouring islands, it forms one of Australia's external territories. Mutiny on the Bounty brought history to life when the mean Captain Bligh was put over the side of the Bounty in a small boat with a handfull of his loyal men while Mr Christian and the mutineers took control of the ship. But Captain Bligh went on to become a hero and managed to sail home to England and later became Governor of New South Wales. The rebels refused the King's authority over their lives and have been living independently for nearly two hundred years.

But now they are broke and Chief Minister David Buffett has told the island's parliament his impoverished administration will give up its fiercely held self-government in exchange for a financial bailout from Canberra. This will mean that the 1800 permanent residents will probably have to pay Australian income tax and lose some of their power to run their own lives.

Naturally, this is not seen as a good move and the islanders aren't happy. They have accused Buffett of selling out their independent values they have held since the 1789 mutiny. They hid for years from the British on Pitcairn Island and eventually resettled on Norfolk in 1856 as a fully self-governing territory. The telephne book is still dominated by the names Adams, Christian, Nobbs, Quintal and Buffett - all descendants of the British mutineers and the Tahitian women they brought with them to Pitcairn.

They don't pay any income tax which has attracted doctors, teachers and other professionals to the island. I wonder if that's why Colleen McCulloch lives there. Two weeks ago Mr Buffett fought off Simon Crean's proposal to diminish the powers of the island's assembly and government through the Territories Law Reform bill. But the treasury is empty, tourism has collapsed and huge debt has changed his mind so he now supports the bill.

It now appears likely that Norfolk Islanders will have to pay some Australian income tax in exchange for access to a range of benefits such as family allowances, dole payments and Medicare. The federal government is expected to organise an immediate infusion of funds. The end of an era for an island with a fascinating history.