Help Us – Hettieh Aklan

Oct 26, 2016

Throughout childhood, political scandals often are ignored or unattested until the individual matures to recognise the actions of government.

On Norfolk Island, a vast majority of the younger generation are aware of democratic activity due to the abolition of self-government in 2015 and the island’s integration into the political and socio-economic policies following the 1st of July, 2016.

The changes and integrations of Australian laws, tax and government control that have occurred and continue to occur have left a majority of islanders in fear of the loss of jobs, income; overall Norfolk’s culture, identity and lifestyle. A major movement on the island has developed in opposition to the changes that have been forced onto the community.

As islanders and descendants of the Mutiny of the Bounty, the changes have impacted members of future generations of Norfolk and is believed that the changes and decisions that are made now will impact the future generations of Norfolk Island.

My major works aims to continue this dialogue in a forum that more truly reflects the views of the young generation on the island. The intended purpose is to represent the perspective of the youth leaders of Norfolk; our experiences of the ongoing events and how the sudden impact of change that are affecting our community.

With such controversy about what is beneficial for the island, the future generations of the community are represented, as it is this generation that will suffer most from the short term effects of losses of jobs and incomes in our years of secondary and post-secondary schooling; and the long term effects of the loss of our culture, identity and lifestyle.

I wanted to give the future generations a voice in such a contentious situation; to provoke and challenge the apparent benefits that have been implemented on our society by the Australian government and the perspectives held by those who agree with the changes.

Click on the YouTube play icon to watch this presentation ( 7mins 12 secs )