There are hopes the newly elected Norfolk Island Regional Council will help the push on the island for self-determination to be restored.
Canberra removed Norfolk's autonomy a year ago and from the beginning of July it is to become a regional council under New South Wales.
The five council members were elected at the weekend with result confirmation due on Friday, but one of the successful ones, the most recent former chief minister Lisle Snell, says everyone already knows who has won.
He says three of the five, including himself, back attempts to restore the island's autonomy.
But Mr Snell says it could be a difficult battle given the Canberra appointed administrator will remain and have final say.
"He has been assigned the responsibilities for the introduction of the regional council, plus many other legislations pertaining to Norfolk Island in its new reform process arrangements. So really the regional council will only have very limited legislative powers."
Earlier this week NSW legislators voted to deny Norfolk Islanders any vote in state elections.
Photo: Norfolk government