Victoria's premier has welcomed King Island's secession to Victoria, saying the state would happily take on the island's golf courses and cheesemakers.
Some residents of the island, which sits halfway between Victoria and Tasmania, are circulating a petition to oust their current local and state governments and put Victoria in charge.
They say they have been neglected by the Tasmanian government, after a reduction in shipping freight services to the island.
The picturesque Bass Strait island has a population of 1700 and attracts tourists from around the world for its golf courses, beef and dairy farms.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the Victorian government would be "more than happy" to take control of the island off Tasmania.
"We'd be more than happy to have Cape Wickham, Ocean Dunes, the best of cheese," he said, speaking to media in Shanghai.
"I don't want to offend any Victorian cheesemakers, but I think we'd all be very, very happy to have their golf courses, their beef. I think they'd be very welcome."
The SeaRoad Mersey shipping service to King Island ended in April, and while the Tasmanian government has provided a short-term replacement service, businesses on the island have been struggling.
King Islander Jill Munro said two petitions were being drafted, one for Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman calling for the mayor and council's general manager to be stood down.
She said the second will be directed to the Prime Minister and the Queen, calling for secession.
Ms Munro said she welcomed Mr Andrews' comments and the support she had received from Victorians.
"Ninety-five per cent of King Islanders are tuned into the Victorian media at the moment, and we are thrilled that the Victorian government and the Victorian people seem to be so welcoming," she said.
"It reinforces a feeling of why we should be Victorian."
She said all King Islanders wanted was "a little bit of respect, we are not getting this from the Tasmanian government."
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, who once proposed creating a mega-state with both Tasmania and South Australia, told The Advocate that owning the King Island "brand" would be a valuable asset for Victoria.
"It has a reputation for clean food … so it has a good brand name and any states would be proud to have it," he said.
"As long as I've been going there ... people have been talking about their desire to be part of Victoria.
"As much as they would like that, it's not going to happen in short term. Tasmania is not going to want to give it up."
In order to secede, King Island would need the support of both state parliaments and both electorates.
With Lachlan Bennett