On Christmas Island, the question of who is responsible when problems arise can often be a difficult one to answer, not to mention frustrating.

The sense of disillusionment in how decisions about the island are made is deeply felt among its roughly 1,800 residents.

The island is run by bureaucrats in the federal Department of Infrastructure in Canberra, and abides by WA laws enforced by federal police.

It falls under no formal state jurisdiction, but the WA Government provides many services through agreements with Canberra.

Come election time, its residents will vote in the Northern Territory seat of Lingiari — currently held by Labor's Warren Snowdon on an 8 per cent margin.

As a result, there is a feeling of resignation that glacial progress on local issues is drawn out by a confusing governance system.

"Today we have an LNP Government. The next day we might have an ALP Government. At the end of the day, where are we at? Square one," Chinese community leader, Patrick Chan, said.

He said islanders long ago came to the realisation that there was little they could do to effect change on the island.

The ABC broadcasts radio programs to Christmas Island, but there is no local independent reporting on island issues. ( ABC News: Tom Joyner )

"Satirical as you think it may be, that's how it is on the island and we all get used to it. Another election is coming, another minister," Mr Chan said.

It's not as if Christmas Islanders aren't given an opportunity to have their voices heard.

They are, in fact, frequently asked for feedback by the Government on proposals across local issues such as service delivery and island infrastructure.

Just this year, PricewaterhouseCoopers consultants landed on the island to review the island's health services, including aged care.

But Lisa Preston, chair of the island's tourism association, said little ever seemed to eventuate and many people suffered from what she called "consultation fatigue".

Christmas Island follows WA laws, votes in the NT, and is governed by bureaucrats in Canberra — prompting some locals to call for self-governance. ( ABC News: Tom Joyner )

"We actually had consultants here to consult us about how much we were consulted," she said.

"Apathy is huge here because it's compulsory to vote, but you know you don't influence any outcome.

There was a wariness in people who had grown up on the island and seen governments in Canberra come and go.

"Every time when we have those people visit from Canberra or Sydney, [they say] we're going to have a meeting," 54-year-old Jessica, a cleaner who grew up on the island, said.

"They say they're going to make this a better place to stay, but still nothing changes."

'An imposed regime'

Ms Preston is part of a number of people on the island who support a model of self-governance, along with shire president Gordon Thompson.

Mr Thompson said a lack of news media to cover daily affairs had partly contributed to a lack of political engagement among residents.

Ms Griggs, a charming and high-profile figure, (right) is known to host well-attended parties designed to bring islanders together. ( ABC News: Tom Joyner )

The ABC broadcasts local radio programs from Karratha to Christmas Island and residents have access to news online, but there is no independent reporting on local island issues.

He maintained self-governance had a viable future on the island.

"[The current system] is an imposed regime that is undemocratic. We were once a colony of the British and we are now a colony of Australia," Mr Thompson said.

The most senior Commonwealth official on Christmas Island, administrator Natasha Griggs, is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Government.

"It's a very interesting arrangement and it does have its challenges," former Liberal MP, Mr Griggs, said.

"But we've got some amazing people who administer [the island and its services]."

Christmas Islander, Jessica, says long-time locals are exhausted by seemingly endless consultation with little action. ( ABC News: Tom Joyner )

Ms Griggs is known to host well-attended parties designed to bring islanders together.

She said that, despite frustrations among residents, there was still a high level of community engagement — people do care.

"I just had a meeting with some people who said they were very concerned about the outcome of the next election," she said.

"I've got to say, people do know if they're upset about something, and they know exactly who they need to talk to."

The ABC has contacted the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, Sussan Ley, for comment.