From Brisbane radio shock jock to Norfolk Island administrator
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Version 0 of 1. A Brisbane radio shock jock and former federal Liberal minister has been appointed the administrator of Norfolk Island. Gary Hardgrave, who has hosted the 4BC Drive show for two years, will take up the posting next month. Assistant minister for infrastructure and regional development, Jamie Briggs, announced the appointment on Tuesday saying Hardgrave would be undertaking the government’s planned reforms for the community which could include changing the way the island is governed. The Coalition is also considering integrating Norfolk Island’s tax and social security system into Australia’s and has set aside $2m to fund governance reforms, on top of the $7.5m in the 2014-15 financial year to run “essential services”. Hardgrave was at various times minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs, minister for vocational and technical education and minister assisting the prime minister during the John Howard years. He lost his Brisbane seat of Moreton to Graham Perrett in 2007 and in 2011 became the Drive presenter on Brisbane’s talkback radio station 4BC. His contract was not renewed for 2014. “As a former minister, Mr Hardgrave is well placed to support the Australian government's reform agenda for Norfolk Island in close consultation with the community,” Briggs said in a statement. He thanked the outgoing administrator Neil Pope and his wife for their outstanding work on the island. Norfolk Island is an external Australian territory in the South Pacific ocean. |