Norfolk Island's impoverished autonomy is ending.
The remote little Pacific Island with a population of 1800, though part of Australia, has sat outside most mainland government systems and largely run its own affairs since 1979.
This will end under legislation - amounting to a benign takeover - introduced to federal parliament on Thursday.
Assistant Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister Jamie Briggs said the island government was required to deliver all local, state and many federal services - more than any other Australian government.
It couldn't do it.
Mr Briggs said there was an almost complete absence of the health and social services most Australians take for granted.
The roads were deteriorating, the electricity network was at risk of collapse and the island government's financial situation "dire".
The Commonwealth's answer is to abolish the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly and Executive Council and replace it with a regional council to deal with local services from July 1 2016.
Norfolk Islanders will start paying Australian taxes, and receive Australian social services. NSW laws will be gradually introduced.
Australian migration, customs and quarantine laws will be applied.
Mr Briggs said the developments, which aim to put the former convict settlement and home to descendants of the Bounty mutineers on a more sustainable footing, will mean "significant change" for islanders.
The changes would deliver growth and prosperity while protecting the island's cultural identity and rich heritage.
