Personal, custom and religious loyalties play an important role in territorial politics. There appears to be little local sentiment in favour of independence from France. Custom plays an important role A local customary administration co-exists with the French and territorial political institutions. The kings receive a salary from the French Government. Their customary authority is generally respected.
Building materials are the other main import.
Some revenue is provided by remittances from relatives living in New Caledonia, having migrated for work or education. Wallis and Futuna's other regional contacts are minimal, except with the other French entities of New Caledonia and French Polynesia. Negotiations are underway for a framework agreement which will govern institutional relations between Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia and post-Noumea Accord arrangements for around 18,000 Wallisians living permanently in New Caledonia. Australia-Wallis and Futuna Relations Contacts between Australia and Wallis and Futuna are limited. In 1997 Australia's training assistance program was extended to the Territory.