MELBOURNE, May 1 (Reuters) - Residents of tiny Norfolk Island have occupied the grounds of their former assembly, protesting against the island's full integration into the Australian political system.
Around 50 of the island's 2,000 residents have set up tents on the grounds of their former government building and have continued to occupy the land after 350 people marched in protest against the Australian government on Wednesday.
The island, with an area of just 33 square kms (13 square miles), lies 890 miles east of the Australian mainland.
Last May Australia announced that the island, whose residents are mostly descendents of convicts, would lose much of the limited autonomy the legislative assembly had held since 1979. All Australian Commonwealth laws were extended to the island in February.
The island's former Chief Minister Andre Nobbs said Norfolk Islanders want to govern themselves and had no plans to end their protest anytime soon.
"The public are usually quite reserved, we don't usually make noise and protest, but this is how strong the feeling is among the people here," Nobbs told Reuters.