Farzian Zainalis a politician fromChristmas Islandwho is a councillor for theShire of Christmas Islandand the treasurer of theIndian Ocean TerritoriesRegional Development Organisation. In June 2023, she was appointed as administrator of Christmas Island and theCocos (Keeling) Islands.[1]
Farzian Zainal | |
|---|---|
| Administratorof theAustralian Indian Ocean Territories | |
| Assumed office 26 May 2023 | |
| Governors‑General | David Hurley Sam Mostyn |
| Preceded by | Natasha Griggs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christmas Island |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Residence(s) | Palmerston,Northern Territory |
| Occupation | Politician |
Background
editZainal was born on Christmas Island and speaksMalay.[2]Her grandfather was one of a number ofMalaysian migrantswho came to the island in the 1950s to work in thephosphate industry.[2]Her father also worked in the mines.[3]Zainal is a member of the fourth generation of her family to live on the island.[4]She completed her education inWestern Australia,like many other Christmas Islanders, since further education is not available on the island.[2]She won a scholarship to study inPerth.[3]
Career
editZainal is a councillor for theShire of Christmas Island.[2][5][6]She was due for re-election in 2023.[7]She is a community representative for, and the treasurer of, the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation, which is administered by theAustralian government.[8][9][10]This includes responsibility for theIndian Ocean Territories Community Fund.Zainal is a member of the management committee ofIndian Ocean Group Training Association,which advocates for on island training and vocational education.[11]During theCOVID-19 pandemic,Zainal stated that the elderly population was concerned that younger islanders kept strictly to precautions to keep the island virus free.[2]
In 2023 she was appointed Administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.[4]She will be in the role for three years.[4]
References
edit- ^"RDA Appointments".Regional Development Australia.Retrieved27 January2023.
- ^abcde"COVID-free Christmas Island is one of Australia's most surprisingly diverse communities".ABC News.12 September 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 19 October 2021.Retrieved19 October2021.
- ^abPettitt-Schipp, R. (2023).The Archipelago of Us: A search for our identity in Australia's most remote territories.Fremantle Press. p. 108.ISBN978-1-76099-223-1.Retrieved21 June2023.
- ^abc"Indian Ocean Territories Administrator appointment".Ministers for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.Retrieved21 June2023.
- ^"Councillors | Shire of Christmas Island".12 October 2021. Archived fromthe originalon 12 October 2021.Retrieved19 October2021.
- ^Europa Publications (4 August 2021).The International Directory of Government 2021.Routledge.ISBN978-1-000-52137-5.
- ^"Shire of Christmas Island".Archivedfrom the original on 18 April 2021.
- ^"About us".Indian Ocean Territories.Retrieved19 October2021.
- ^Department of Infrastructure, Transport (22 May 2021)."Appointment of new Regional Development Organisation members".Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Australian Government.Retrieved19 October2021.
- ^Our Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 2030 STRATEGIC PLAN(PDF).Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation. 2019.
- ^Inquiry Into Governance in the Indian Ocean Territories.Indian Ocean Group Training Association. 2015.