Lisle Snell
Lisle Snell | |
|---|---|
| Member of Norfolk Island Regional Council | |
| In office 28 May 2016 – 6 December 2021 | |
| Chief Minister of Norfolk Island | |
| In office 20 March 2013 – 17 June 2015 | |
| Preceded by | David Buffett |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Norfolk Island |
Lisle Denis Snell is an Australian politician who served as Chief Minister of Norfolk Island from 2013 to 2015, and as a member of Norfolk Island Regional Council from 2016 to 2021, before both were dissolved by the Australian government.
Early life
Lisle Snell is of Pitcairn descent.[1] and traced his lineage to Matthew Quintal, a participant of the mutiny on the Bounty.[2] He worked as a tourist guide.[3]
Career
On 24 March 2010, Snell was appointed deputy speaker.[1] He served as chief minister until the island's autonomy was revoked.[4]
In 2013, Snell stated that Norfolk Island could become independent from Australia.[5] In 2015, the Parliament of Australia voted to eliminate Norfolk Island's autonomy,[4] despite lobbying from Snell,[6] and instituted direct control.[4] Snell stated that a referendum should have been held to determine the future of Norfolk Island's autonomy and the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly passed a resolution supporting that view by a vote of 8 to 1.[7] A non-binding referendum held by the islanders supported maintaining their autonomy.[8] Snell and others opposed to the end of autonomy formed Norfolk Island People for Democracy and an appeal to the United Nations was filed by Geoffrey Robertson.[4]
Snell was one of five people elected to the Norfolk Island Regional Council in 2016.[9] On 16 December 2021, the Australian government suspended the council, which was in the midst of a debt crisis requiring $10 million, for three years. Snell stated that the economy was ruined due to a loss of tourism from the COVID-19 pandemic and that the council was losing $1 million per week.[10]
References
Works cited
News
- "Australia Govt suspends Norfolk council". Radio New Zealand. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 29 April 2025.
- "Norfolk Islanders face dire straits". The New Zealand Herald. 27 October 2013. Archived from the original on 26 June 2025.
- Cox, Lisa (19 March 2015). "Norfolk Islanders divided over plan to end self-government". The Age. Archived from the original on 27 June 2025.
- Davey, Melissa (26 April 2016). "Norfolk Island leader calls for royal commission into 'Australian takeover'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 June 2025.
- Davey, Melissa (21 May 2015). "'We're not Australian': Norfolk Islanders adjust to shock of takeover by mainland". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 June 2025.
- Lawson, Kirsten (11 May 2015). "Norfolk chief minister in last-ditch attempt to save island's self-government". The Age. Archived from the original on 26 June 2025.
- McDonald, Philippa (9 February 2007). "Witness heard screaming, Norfolk Is court told". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 June 2025.
- Smyth, Jamie (19 March 2015). "Norfolk Islanders plot Australia revolt amid financial crisis". The Age. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025.
Web
- "Norfolk Island Regional Council Elections". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 June 2025.
- "Office of the Speaker". Norfolk Island. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013.