Here in NSW, we independents simply asked for a corruption-free, transparent, and well-administered government. In return, we got consultation and opportunities to work collaboratively to improve policies. That’s all, and it’s working well, and I have no reason to doubt the same can be replicated federally.
You’ll also hear both sides ruling out working with independents and minor parties. But the truth is, the moment the polls close our phones start ringing with people from the major parties who are “looking forward to working with us”.
When you drill down to most polling, you see this election isn’t a two-horse race, both major parties poll in the 30s in primary votes, with independents and minor parties polling around the same.
This means a third of Aussies want someone else, in addition to the major parties, contributing to decision-making.
If you don’t get a majority of seats, and you only got 30 per cent of the primary vote, it doesn’t feel right that you should then be able to govern entirely alone. You need to work with others. It’s common sense.
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In NSW, the broad and diverse crossbench covers regional, metropolitan and suburban seats. While I’m representing inner Sydney, Dr Joe McGirr looks after the Riverina and Greg Piper does the same for Lake Macquarie. It is the same case federally. Non-major party voters are everywhere!
In NSW, here’s some of what we’ve achieved – uncontroversially – by having a seat at the table: fairer laws for renters; banning offshore oil and gas drilling; more essential worker housing; better consultation with regional communities on policies that affect them, and improved public transport options.
Every week in the NSW parliament the crossbench successfully amends legislation and does so with unanimous support.
Through the committee process, we also provide oversight of the bureaucracy and have the freedom to vote according to our conscience on every vote, something that continues to challenge the major parties.
This election will likely deliver a minority government. Power-sharing will be great for Australia: more ideas will be shared, more voices will be heard, and one person or a single party won’t be able to rush decisions or ignore the difficult ones.
Australia has moved beyond flirting with independents. It’s getting serious. That’s because voters have seen power-sharing delivers outcomes.
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