Country name
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island

Data code NF

Dependency status territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department of Environment, Sport and Territories

Government type NA

National capital Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial center)

Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia)

Independence none (territory of Australia)

National holiday Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 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 of the UK (since 6 February 1952); the queen and Australia are represented by Administrator A.J. MESSNER (since NA)
head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister David Earnest BUFFETT (since NA 1995)
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
elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; 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 NA May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1998)
election results: David Earnest BUFFETT elected chief minister; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA

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 NA May 1995 (next to be held NA May 1998)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9

Judicial branch Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Political parties 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

NOTE: The information regarding Norfolk Island on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Norfolk Island Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Norfolk Island Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.