979

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 (since 6
February 1952); the UK and Australia are represented by
Administrator Anthony J. MESSNER (since 4 August 1997)

head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister Ronald
Coane NOBBS (since 23 February 2000)

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 monarch is hereditary; 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 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March 2003)

election results: Ronald Coane NOBBS 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 23 February 2000 (next to be held by March
2003)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9

Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions

Political parties and leaders: none

Political pressure groups 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

Norfolk Island Economy

Economy - overview: Tourism, the primary economic activity, has
steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of
prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The
agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of
beef, poultry, and eggs.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP - real growth rate: NA%

GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Population below poverty line: NA%

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