Opinion Piece SMH Luke Nanya Former deputy campaign director for NSW Liberals
Original title: Independents don’t deserve a free pass into parliament.
At the last federal election in 2019, one in four Australians cast a first-preference vote for a minor party or independent. Over the past decade, this number has gradually climbed as voters slowly erode the two-party system that has governed Australia in the post-war era.
Australians will again head to the polls next year and it is likely the major party vote will continue to fall. There is real likelihood that Australia will once again find itself with a hung parliament and minority government. Unlike in 2010, where the election outcome and hung parliament came as a surprise, many political commentators have this time recognised the potential influence that independent MPs might hold after the election.
Independent Allegra Spender, left, kicks off her campaign for Wentworth with her sister, fashion designer Bianca Spender.
CREDIT:
JESSICA HROMAS
So feverish is the speculation, that it prompted the crossbench MPs and high-profile candidates to declare they are yet to pick a winner – that is to say, they’re not telling the Australian people who they would back to be our prime minister in the event of a hung parliament.
This should be of concern to every Australian. The independent class of 2022 are running on three issues – climate change; integrity in politics; and gender equity. These are worthwhile matters, and are important to many voters, but they are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the issues confronting any federal government. Issues of national security, economic recovery, support for small business and manufacturing, investment in health and education and ensuring a strong retirement for seniors are of equal or greater importance to many.
The latest JWS Research ‘True Issues’ report published in November found the top issue on the minds of voters was hospitals, healthcare and ageing (37 per cent), followed by the environment and climate change (26 per cent) and economy and finances (22 per cent) – meaning only one of the three key issues on which the new class of independents is building its platform is driving votes at the ballot box. While Australians want to see more equal representation in our Parliament and be assured of integrity within our institutions, they aremore concerned about steady pay and access to essential services.
Throughout Australian history, true independents have forged grassroot campaigns, worked hard to pull resources together and arrived in Canberra with a genuine purpose to represent their local community. What we’re seeing in our new wave of independent candidates is a populist movement, bankrolled by millionaires with the aim of removing a sitting government.
PM Scott Morrison (centre) and some of the independent female candidates running in 2022. Pictured (clockwise from top left): Kylea Tink (North Sydney), Sophie Scamps (Mackellar), Allegra Spender (Wentworth), Penny Ackery (Hume), Claire Boardman (Flinders), Monique Ryan (Kooyong), Zoe Daniel (Goldstein) and Linda Seymour (Hughes).
CREDIT:
STEPHEN KIPRILLIS
Of course, within a democracy there is nothing wrong with such an objective, but it is incumbent on our media and commentators to ensure these candidates are being examined in the same way we interrogate our major political parties and would-be leaders. Even at a local level, voters know where the Liberal candidates who are being targeted stand on key issues.
Dave Sharma, Tim Wilson and Trent Zimmerman represent the next generation of Liberal leadership. They come from diverse backgrounds and have forged successful careers outside of Parliament. Voters know where they stand – they want climate action, they represent diversity in politics and they contribute to a government that has kept the economy strong throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can the same be said for their challengers? We don’t have those answers. It’s easy for an independent candidate to outmanoeuvre the government on climate change. They can promise the world with no likelihood that they need to deliver. They can play to a single constituency without the need to register and respect the views of others across this vast nation. But we shouldn’t let them get away with a strong single-issue campaign.
The Morrison government is warning of uncertain times ahead. This is certainly true. Our COVID-19 recovery is going to need strong economic stewardship, tensions in the Pacific and the emerging conflict with China are going to require delicate diplomatic skills, and the changing labour market at home, disrupted by a change in international workforces, is going to test the resilience of Australian industries.
Voters need to be assured their Parliament is up to the task of managing these complex and competing issues. And while we know the next crossbench could force stronger action on climate change, deliver a NSW-style anti-corruption body (a commission with major flaws and shortcomings), and fight for improved gender equality, where will they stand when it comes to keeping our nation safe and economy strong?
We shouldn’t give any candidate a free pass to the Federal Parliament based on strong ideology alone. We must hold everyone to the same standard and that must start with understanding how they would serve all Australians, not just a select few.
“We MUST respect this earth - it is all we have
Claudio Dametto - South Australia
“I will always Vote to Preserve Our World.
Liam McGregor - Western Australia
“A simple message that even a politician can understand
Felicity Crombach - Victoria
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Phil Harmer - New South Wales
“Save our world , Life & health before profits.
Kerry Lillian - New South Wales
“Close down all coal mines and Do not mine gas . Make these Companies
Daniel Johnson - New South Wales
“We want carbon free energy!
Edan Clarke - New South Wales
“Feels good to be taking a voter action step
Beaver Hudson - New South Wales
“Great Initiative. Let’s Hold elected officials Accountable to their bosses, us!
John Paul Posada - New South Wales
“We need actions not words we need honest democratic govt We need a pm
Bob Pearce - South Australia
“Thank you for this great resource. I was feeling helpless. Even this small step
Silvia Anderson - Victoria
“If political parties continue receiving political donations, we will rarely have politicians working for
Dan Chicos - New South Wales
“I only vote for people who will take urgent action to restore a safe
Susie Burke - Victoria
“Current government is not representing the opinion of the majority of Australian to meet
Neil Price - Tasmania
“We are fighting to rescue our kids' future from those who seek to steal
Vanessa Norimi - Queensland
“No time to waste Now or Never My vote is for NOW
Rosalie White - Victoria
“I am only 9 but I already care
Ava Bell - New South Wales
“From New Lambton Uniting Church - Caring for our world is a moral imperative.
Niall McKay - New South Wales
“Our federal govt is an International climate Embarrassment - its about time they stepped
Oriana Tolo - Victoria
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Sue Cooke - Queensland
“We are in one on the wealthiest countries in the world. we have the
rowan huxtable - New South Wales
“The climate Emergency is the public health opportunity and urgent priority of the 21st
Mike Forrester - Victoria
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Barbara McNiff - New South Wales
“We need to act locally now for the earth. Our only home. Vote Earth
Anne Miller - New South Wales
“I often look at the places I've known all my life and see how
Jim Baird - New South Wales
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Lorraine Bridger - New South Wales
“Our federal politicians Are Afraid to make action on climate change a major election
Jennifer Martin - New South Wales
“climate election, let's go!
Fahimah Badrulhisham - New South Wales
“Great to see this website that is a focus on action for climate change
Lynette Sinclair - New South Wales
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Jane Aitken - Australian Capital Territory
“If you want to stay in power You need to take action to stop
Jane Bulter - New South Wales
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Carol Khan - Queensland
“We need a Government that Believes this is real and not taking money from
Ken Gray - New South Wales
“I'm voting for my childrens future
Anneliese Alexander - New South Wales