Image from YouTube (Video uploaded by Community Independents Project)
By Sue Barrett
I’m a 40-year Goldstein resident, and I know how overwhelming it can feel heading into the final days of an election, especially the 2025 Australian election on 3 May. For years, I was an undecided voter – I’d never been affiliated with any political party because none of them truly represented me or my community. But everything changed at Christmas 2019-2020, when Australia was literally going up in flames and then-PM Scomo was on holiday in Hawaii, refusing to hold a hose. I was sitting on my couch, grappling with what felt like my millionth existential crisis, asking myself: Where was the action? Where was the leadership on climate, fairness, and a better future for us all?
I felt frustrated, helpless, and alone – until a call from my friend Denise in North Sydney kicked me into action which led me to co-found Voices of Goldstein that led to Zoe Daniel’s 2022 election win in Goldstein.
If you’re feeling deeply frustrated with the major parties and unsure about how to vote in 2025, let me show you why a community independent might be the refreshing change you’re looking for.
This election, you’ve likely encountered a barrage of misleading information. In Goldstein, coalition-aligned groups like Australians for Prosperity, Repeal the Teal, and Better Australia all linked to the hate group, Advance Australia, are spreading lies through billboards, flyers, and Meta ads, falsely attacking Zoe Daniel’s record on climate and community. Nationally, Advance Australia added by religious cults and foreign volunteers are distributing questionable materials at pre-poll sites.
Trans-Tasman research shows 60% of Australians fear misinformation will distort their vote – I’ve felt that concern myself. But you can cut through the noise: check the facts. Community independents like Zoe publish their records openly. For instance, Zoe’s delivered bulk-billing gains in Goldstein and fought for emissions reductions – verifiable results, not empty promises. Don’t let the lies cloud your choice.
Here’s a vitally important video on disinformation and those seeking to overthrow our democracies and move us toward authoritarianism. Please share with everyone you know.
The community independents movement began in 2013 with Cathy McGowan’s historic win in Indi, a rural Victorian seat held by the Coalition for 82 years. Locals, frustrated by a disconnected MP, formed Voices for Indi, held kitchen table conversations, and mobilised 1,000 volunteers to elect McGowan. In 2019, Zali Steggall built on this model, ousting former PM Tony Abbott in Warringah with a campaign focused on climate and integrity, backed by 800 volunteers. The 2022 election saw a “teal wave,” with seven community independents elected, including Zoe in Goldstein, Allegra Spender in Wentworth, and Monique Ryan in Kooyong. These wins were built on listening to communities, not dictating to them, showing that politics can be about people, not parties.
Since 2022, community independents have delivered real results. Zoe Daniel, Zali Steggall, Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan, Kate Chaney, Kylea Tink, Sophie Scamps, and Helen Haines in Indi have secured carbon emissions reductions, HECS debt relief, restored single-parent payments, and pushed for tax reform, stronger climate action, reduced gambling ads, action on violence against women, and political integrity. In Goldstein, Zoe’s work has locked in real climate targets with 43% by 2023, reduced HECS debts, improved healthcare access through bulk-billing gains, got better wages for childcare workers and is fighting for a complete tax reform and a ban on gambling advertising just to name a few. Steggall has championed truth in political advertising, while Haines has fought for a federal integrity commission – the list is long in terms of their achievements. Unlike major parties, community independents aren’t beholden to vested interests – they answer to you, focusing on what your electorate needs most.
One key difference with community independents is how they approach voting. Unlike the major parties, who hand out how-to-vote cards dictating their preferred order of candidates, community independents like Zoe Daniel don’t preference anyone. All they ask is that you put them first, then number every box in the order of your preference. This puts you in charge of your vote – your preferences, your voice. The parties want to control how you vote to serve their interests, but community independents trust you to decide what’s best for your community. It’s a refreshing way to ensure your vote reflects your values, not a party’s agenda.
A short video about Preferential Voting
With 38 community independents running in 2025 – across seats like Monash, where Deb Leonard’s rap campaign highlights a fair energy transition, and Wannon, where Alex Dyson’s 1,600 supporters are tackling local issues like roads and aged care – an expanded crossbench is within reach. Experts predict a minority government, meaning independents could hold the balance of power, ensuring parliament prioritises your needs over party agendas. More independents mean better outcomes on cost-of-living, housing, and clean energy, and a safeguard against major parties entrenching power. Imagine a parliament that reflects your community’s voice – that’s what community independents offer.
Vote Community Independents: https://linktr.ee/CommunityIndependentsAU
The Liberal Party’s reliance on disinformation reveals their lack of real policy. Groups tied to former Liberal MPs, like Jason Falinski, are attacking community independents because they can’t win on ideas. Peter Dutton’s nuclear plans and cost-of-living measures lack substance, and his campaign’s backflips – like on referendums and citizenship policies – show a party adrift. When they resort to lies and fear, as seen in their proxies’ attacks in Goldstein, it’s clear they’re more interested in power than your community’s needs. Community independents, on the other hand, focus on what matters to you, free from party baggage.
From Indi in 2013 to Warringah in 2019, and the teal wave of 2022, community independents have shown what’s possible when politics prioritises people. In Goldstein, we flipped a safe Liberal seat because we listened to our community. Today, candidates like Deb Leonard in Monash, Alex Dyson in Wannon, and others across Australia are doing the same, standing up to far-right groups like Advance Australia and the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church infiltrating the Coalition.
If you’re looking for a fresh approach—one that’s accountable, community-driven, and focused on integrity – vote for your community independent on 3 May.
Together, we can build a parliament that truly works for us.
Let’s make it happen!
Vote Community Independents: https://linktr.ee/CommunityIndependentsAU
Websites
Community Independents Project
I’ve also written several letters to the Age about these issues:
This article was originally published on Sue Barrett
Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.
One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.
With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.
Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.
You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969
Media Release: The McKell Institute Some 165,000 Australian workers could lose vital protections such as…
In a recent interview, Donald Trump boldly claimed, “I run the country and the world” -…
University of South Australia (UniSA) Media Release As politicians continue the campaign trail with carefully…
Monash University Media Release Support for nuclear power among Australians has fallen, with the numbers…
By Walt Zlotow Trump’s orange legacy may be worse that his fake orange hair. Ask…
La Trobe University Media Release Date: Wednesday, 7 May Time: 5pm to 6.30pm Registrations: https://webinars.on24.com/latrobeuni/USalliance Former…
View Comments
Unless Australians do CONSIDERABLE RESEARCH into the backgrounds of some of these so-called "Independents", they REALLY NEED to be wary. Many "Independents" are, in fact, disenfranchised, disengaged, ex-members and/or disenchanted ex-supporters of the LNP who will, no doubt, end up giving their preferential support to the undemocratic fascists, nuclear-obsessed environmental vandals, misogynistic predators, rusted-on white-supremacist right-wing racists and callously inhumane political psychopaths in the LNP!
Independents have neither the power nor REAL political influence to initiate and/or establish policies that will benefit ordinary working- and middle-class Australians. What is worse, if you look into the backgrounds of so many of these so-called "Independents" they often maintain racist, ultra-conservative and undemocratic views that go against what most egalitarian Australians believe in.
If you want our country to continue to prosper, to be governed by an egalitarian, socially responsible left-wing government, then cut to the chase and VOTE LABOR.
Like Kathryn, I have a strong suspicion about the backgrounds of many independents. But I also find it a big claim that states that Teals have have secured "carbon emissions reductions, HECS debt relief, restored single-parent payments, and pushed for tax reform, stronger climate action, reduced gambling ads, action on violence against women, and political integrity." The real work on these changes have been supported by Teals/independents but none of them have been due to their actions alone. Often they have been brought into line by the by the hard and persuasive negotiations of the ALP. Furthermore, these matters are often watered down by the additional input as the independents used any bargaining power they have.
Kathryn and Lyndal’s concerns about independent candidates, particularly their backgrounds and influence, misrepresent the community-driven nature and impact of independents like Zoe Daniel in the 2025 Australian federal election. Far from being ex-LNP members propping up regressive agendas, many independents, including Daniel, the teal MP for Goldstein, emerged from grassroots movements like Voices of Goldstein, where communities select candidates reflecting local values. Daniel, a former ABC journalist, won in 2022 on a platform of climate action, integrity, and gender equality, not LNP ideology. Her legislative wins, such as securing the 43% emissions reduction target as a floor, not a ceiling, through negotiations with Minister Chris Bowen, and prompting the Attorney-General to criminalise doxxing in 2024 to combat antisemitism, demonstrate her ability to shape national policy. These achievements refute claims that independents lack power or merely support Labor’s work, showing they amplify community priorities like climate and safety.
Dismissing community independents as ineffective or ideologically suspect ignores their growing influence and the voter shift away from the two-party system, with one in three Australians backing independents or minor parties in 2022. Community independents, selected through transparent processes like Voices groups, embody this demand for accountable representation. Daniel’s advocacy—pushing for gambling ad bans, tax reform, and media diversity—leverages her crossbench flexibility to hold major parties accountable, often outpacing Labor’s efforts. In a potential 2025 hung parliament, independents could wield even greater influence, as seen in 2010. Urging voters to “vote Labor” overlooks the democratic value of independents, who, far from being LNP proxies, deliver evidence-based outcomes for ordinary Australians, making them a vital alternative to major-party complacency.
You're fortunate to be in Goldstein with Zoe Daniel.
I've observed that she is articulate and responsive.
Unfortunately, in Kooyong we have Monique Ryan, who seems not to accept community input from beyond her echo chamber.
She simply doesn't answer questions from her electorate, she doesn't have policies, make statements or have a position on a range of important policy issues.
Monique Ryan is a dud.
We have Helen Haines, who doesn’t just represent us, but fights for us. She fought for FTTP broadband for my city - and got it. Labor and Libs ignored us.
I also have an 'Independent' in Bob Katter who is not cherished by all but, he does speak up for the electorate of Kennedy which is more than half a million square kilometres and two and a half times the size of Victoria!
I had occasion to call on Bob during the Abbott term in office. I had a prostate problem and was told that I needed an MRI scan which was not covered by Medicare. At the scanning centre I met some other old Codgers ( fun fact -I too am a codger as is Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart- we're all in our eighties) from around the Gulf Country in the vast Kennedy electorate and they too had travelled to Cairns for an MRI for suspected prostate cancer and had the cost of the scan plus travel and accommodation on top.
When it was my turn the young lady in this private facility asked for payment up front (around $500) before we could proceed: I joked 'first you scan my credit card and then my prostate' she was not amused - I suppose when you spend your day observing old codgers with their arses hanging out in those ridiculous backless garments they hand out, you wouldn't be up for wise-cracks either [no pun intended].
I did some homework on the number of old blokes in the far North (and around Australia) who would be going through this procedure and wrote to Bob asking why this essential MRI scan could not be covered by Medicare - it took a few months but he hounded the then Health Minister (Dutton) and finally he was able to get a new allocation under the Medicare Benefits schedule # 63541 with a benefit a bit under $500 but available for bulk billing.
Perhaps Dutton would have come up with this on his own but I doubt it, he was never proactive. I have no doubt however that the badgering by Bob Katter was what got the result (for all Australian men).
Bob will undoubtedly be returned again on Saturday !
Yes, no doubt Helen Haines is another competent MP. I haven't followed her positions on issues the way I have with Monique Ryan or (to a lesser extent) Zoe Daniels.
I would only point out that ZD is willing to state her position on issues.
Monique Ryan simply won't and she has proven to be unwilling to consult beyond her echo chamber.
The problem with the independents is that we require a Parliament that acts in the national interest. On the other hand, a collection of random individuals, all seeking the media spotlight to promote the issue most important in 147 diverse electorates, won't provide stable or cohesive government.
Half a dozen of them are manageable, it's a luxury for those electorates.
A couple of dozen of them are likely to be a disaster.