Farzian Zainal | |
|---|---|
| Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories | |
| Assumed office 26 May 2023 | |
| Governors-General | David Hurley Sam Mostyn |
| Preceded by | Natasha Griggs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Residence | Christmas Island |
| Occupation | Government Official |
Farzian Zainal is a politician from Christmas Island who since June 2023 is the current Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories [1] and the treasurer of the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation. She is the first local-born Administrator. [2] Zainal previously served as a councillor for the Shire of Christmas Island.
Zainal was born on Christmas Island and speaks Malay. [3] Her grandfather was one of a number of Malaysian migrants who came to the island in the 1950s to work in the phosphate industry. [3] Her father also worked in the mines. [4] Zainal is a member of the fourth generation of her family to live on the island. [5] She completed her education in Western Australia,like many other Christmas Islanders,since further education is not available on the island. [3] She won a scholarship to study in Perth. [4]
Zainal was a member of the management committee of Indian Ocean Group Training Association,which advocates for on island training and vocational education. [6]
Zainal was a councillor for the Shire of Christmas Island, [3] [7] [8] elected 19 October 2019. [9] During the COVID-19 pandemic,Zainal stated that the elderly population was concerned that younger islanders kept strictly to precautions to keep the island virus free. [3] She was due for re-election in October 2023, [10] but resigned in May of that year to accept the role of Administrator. [11]
In May 2023,she was sworn in as Administrator of the Australian Indian Ocean Territories,which encompasses both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands,for a term of 3 years commencing in June. [5] As administrator she is chair of the Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation,which is administered by the Australian government. [12] [13] [14] This includes responsibility for the Indian Ocean Territories Community Fund.