Original: At Australia's request, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty to Australia; in 1957, the Australian government paid the government of Singapore Â # 2.9 million in compensation, a figure based mainly on an estimated value of the phosphate forgone by Singapore.
Simplified: Australia asked the United Kingdom to allow them to rule the island; in 1957, the Australian government paid the government of Singapore Â # 2.9 million in compensation.