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
New MP aims to improve Canberra's relationship with Norfolk
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."