Farzian Zainal
Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories
Assumed office
26 May 2023
Governor‑GeneralDavid Hurley
Preceded byNatasha Griggs
Personal details
BornChristmas Island
NationalityAustralian
Residence(s)Palmerston, Northern Territory
OccupationPolitician

Farzian Zainal is a politician from Christmas Island who is a councillor for the Shire of Christmas Island and the treasurer of the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation. In June 2023, she was appointed as administrator of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.[1]

Background

Zainal was born on Christmas Island and speaks Malay.[2] Her grandfather was one of a number of Malaysian migrants who came to the island in the 1950s to work in the phosphate 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 in Western Australia, like many other Christmas Islanders, since further education is not available on the island.[2] She won a scholarship to study in Perth.[3]

Career

Zainal is a councillor for the Shire of Christmas Island.[2][5][6] She is 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 the Australian government.[8][9][10] This includes responsibility for the Indian Ocean Territories Community Fund. She is a member of the management committee of Indian Ocean Group Training Association, which advocates for on island training and vocational education.[11] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zainal stated that it was concern for the elderly population that meant 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

  1. ^ "RDA Appointments". Regional Development Australia. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "COVID-free Christmas Island is one of Australia's most surprisingly diverse communities". ABC News. 12 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b Pettitt-Schipp, R. (2023). The Archipelago of Us: A search for our identity in Australia's most remote territories. Fremantle Press. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-76099-223-1. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Indian Ocean Territories Administrator appointment". Ministers for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  5. ^ "Councillors | Shire of Christmas Island". 12 October 2021. Archived from the original on 12 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  6. ^ Europa Publications (4 August 2021). The International Directory of Government 2021. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-52137-5.
  7. ^ "Shire of Christmas Island".
  8. ^ "About us". Indian Ocean Territories. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  9. ^ Department of Infrastructure, Transport (22 May 2021). "Appointment of new Regional Development Organisation members". Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Australian Government. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  10. ^ Our Cocos (Keeling) Islands: 2030 STRATEGIC PLAN (PDF). Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation. 2019.
  11. ^ Inquiry Into Governance in the Indian Ocean Territories. Indian Ocean Group Training Association. 2015.
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