NORFOLK Island’s idyllic vision of independence could be shattered tomorrow when its parliament is set to be abolished.

The House of Representatives will consider a bill that would see the island’s government replaced by a regional council model.

Robin Adams, the island’s Minister for Cultural Heritage and Community Services, said the passing of the bill would be “an absolute denial of human rights and a grave travesty of justice”.

She said the claim by the Federal Government that there had been adequate community consultation was a “fabrication”, and that a vote and petition had shown the majority of islanders wanted a say.

media_camera The Federal Government says the tiny island can’t manage alone. Picture: Angela Saurine

“The Parliament is the voice of the people,” she added. “A referendum of the Norfolk Island community on governance change is essential.”

The move could spell the end for Norfolk Island’s unique status as Australia’s only self-governing offshore territory. Its Legislative Assembly has been battling the Federal Government over the issue since 2012, when it was hit hard by the GFC.

The tiny island 1400km east of Brisbane has been self-run for 35 years, and its leaders say changing this is “undemocratic”, and will rob islanders of a voice.

But the Abbott Government last month described the island’s governance as “diabolical”, claiming its infrastructure was run down, the health system not up to standard and its laws out of date.

media_camera The move from government to council will mean new laws, taxes and services. Picture: Angela Saurine

“It is quite concerning that it’s been left for so long,” said assistant regional development minister Jamie Briggs. “The community overwhelmingly supports reform and is of the view that the current governance arrangements are not suitable.”

He claimed it was not sustainable to ask a community of 1800 people to deliver local, state and federal services, and that health and social services, the electricity network and finances were struggling.

If a regional council is installed, it will come into action on July 1, 2016. Norfolk Islanders will start paying Australian taxes and receive Australian social services and NSW laws will be gradually introduced.

The island will no longer be treated as if it were another country and Aussie immigration and quarantine laws will be applied.

It could mean some big changes for the little retreat.

Originally published as Norfolk Island: The end is nigh