<P> At Australia 's request , the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty to Australia , with a M $20 million payment from the Australian government to Singapore as compensation for the loss of earnings from the phosphate revenue . The United Kingdom 's Christmas Island Act was given royal assent on 14 May 1958 , enabling Britain to transfer authority over Christmas Island from Singapore to Australia by an order - in - council . Australia 's Christmas Island Act was passed in September 1958 and the island was officially placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 October 1958 . </P>
<P> At Australia 's request , the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty to Australia , with a M $20 million payment from the Australian government to Singapore as compensation for the loss of earnings from the phosphate revenue . The United Kingdom 's Christmas Island Act was given royal assent on 14 May 1958 , enabling Britain to transfer authority over Christmas Island from Singapore to Australia by an order - in - council . Australia 's Christmas Island Act was passed in September 1958 and the island was officially placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 October 1958 . </P>
how much did singapore sell christmas island for
how much did singapore sell christmas island for
M $20 million
M $20 million