The new Australian Labor Party MP for the Canberra seat of Bean, says all constituents should have the capacity to influence decisions that affect them.
Photo: Norfolk Government
David Smith was commenting on Norfolk Islanders who are included within his electorate despite being 2000 kilometres away.
In 2016 the Australian Government removed Norfolk Island's autonomy - a move that outraged a number on the island and has sparked appeals to the United Nations and other international fora.
Mr Smith said it's a fundamental principle that constituents, wherever they might be, have a say in issues that affect them.
"I guess the feedback I was getting from constituents in Norfolk Island, and that's both face-to-face - I visited Norfolk late last year, and certainly through emails and correspondence, was there was a significant gap there, that didn't have to be there when the changes were made."
