For almost two years, Norfolk Island has been without an elected local council.
As an external Australian territory it is also not represented in any state parliament, and with its federal member of parliament based in the ACT, some on the island feel it is facing a democratic deficit.
Island council administrators, appointed after the council was dismissed in 2021, say they are committed to bringing Norfolk back to financial security, even if that means passing on some costs to locals.
Due to exit administration at the end of next year, there is hope authorities can work with the Commonwealth on a better, more sustainable democratic model.
'We don't have anyone to represent us'
Until 2015, islanders were governed by their own legislative assembly, but it had to be bailed out by the Commonwealth after being hit hard during the global financial crisis.
It was replaced by a council — which was later also dismissed under the LNP government in 2021 due to major financial issues.
Since then, the council has been in administration and run by bureaucrats appointed by the Commonwealth.
Business owner Brett Sanderson said it has meant locals effectively have had no say in many day-to-day issues for the past two years.
Mr Sanderson is part of a group campaigning for better democratic representation on the island.
"There's been a total lack of democracy so we don't get to have a say or a vote in laws that govern our lives," he said.
Last year, service delivery of health and education were handed to Queensland from New South Wales but continued to be funded by the federal government.
However, the island's status as an external territory means it also does not have a representative in Queensland parliament.
"When we have a problem with the state services, such as health or education, which, to be honest, are really the services that affect our daily lives the most, we don't have anyone to represent us," Mr Sanderson said.
During the administration, some new rates have been introduced, which he said amounted to hundreds of dollars for him.
In a statement, a Queensland Government spokesperson said it was committed to carrying out its obligations on the island, and that Education Minister Grace Grace and the Chair of the Metro North Health board had both visited the island since the start of last year.
Mr Sanderson said residents had been encouraged by dealings with Labor's new Minister for Territories, Kristy McBain.
Dismissed council had 'one week' of money left
The island's council administrator, Michael Colreavy, was appointed to rebuild its finances after the council was dismissed.
"When I was asked about my availability to undertake the administrators role, I was told that the council had enough money to run for one more week at the time," Mr Colreavy said.
He said the council was not yet ready to be handed back to an elected council with current holdings of about $5 million.
One of the issues the administrators had to overcome was the issue of dealing with waste – which under previous leadership — was burned and tipped into the sea.
He said one of the costs passed onto residents was a waste management fee, to take waste back to the mainland.
"I'm well aware that the community is struggling to accept those sorts of changes," he said.
He said it was difficult to see how the island would be lifted out of administration before the 2024 deadline.
Tiny island not likely to be its own electorate
Political law expert Professor Graeme Orr said some rural Queensland councils faced similar viability issues which resulted in mass amalgamations about 10 years ago.
But he said the tyranny of distance as well as the logistical, and cultural identity of the island meant was not an option.
"It is an island council, it is therefore inherently unique, and it is a long way away.
"So you can't just amalgamate with the next local council and that's created this problem where it's sort of being passed between the states in the last few years, having lost its autonomy in its own parliament," Professor Orr said.
He said with a population of about 2,000 people it was unlikely the area would ever be given dedicated seats in state or federal parliament.
Unique democratic model under discussion
Territories minister Kristy McBain said her government was eager to solve the democratic situation.
"We would want to see a democratically elected body as soon as possible … hoping to have some discussions with the community going forward about what the best model would be," she said.
"It may not be something that works on the mainland, it might be something entirely different. But I want to make sure that we are having those discussions."
She said it would require significant change to legislation to introduce a state representative, but the government would take comments regarding high rates into consideration.
"We would be open to reviewing the mechanisms of revenue raising on the island, we'd be open to reviewing the governance measures."
