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About the movement

A community-led response to party-based politics

The Community Independents movement has emerged across Australia as a response to growing dissatisfaction with party‑based politics and a sense that many communities lack meaningful local representation. Rather than being organised around party platforms, hierarchies or factional interests, community independent campaigns are grounded in place. They begin with listening to local people, understanding shared concerns, and building a collective vision for representation that reflects the character and priorities of a specific community.

At the heart of the movement is a different approach to political participation. Communities themselves take an active role in shaping political representation, often through open forums, surveys and conversations that invite broad participation. Candidates are selected because they are trusted locally and willing to be directly accountable to the people they represent. Once elected, community independents are expected to continue that two‑way relationship, treating representation as an ongoing conversation rather than a one‑off electoral transaction.

What 'community independent' means

Within this context, the term community independent describes a relationship between a candidate and their community, not a rigid organisational model. There is no single structure, central authority or controlling body. Each electorate determines its own approach, reflecting local conditions, capacity and values. What unites the movement is a shared emphasis on local decision‑making, transparency, and independence from political parties.

How this differs from party politics

This stands in contrast to Australia’s traditional party‑based system, where candidates operate within centralised organisations and where strategic decisions are driven by party leadership and national or state priorities. Community independents, by comparison, are locally organised and locally governed. Campaigns are supported by the community, not by a party branch or head office, and success depends on trust, engagement and sustained local support. 

Community independent candidates are identified through locally led, community‑based processes rather than through party structures. Interested individuals typically emerge from community conversations, local networks and expressions of interest led by community groups, reflecting the values and priorities of the electorate. These groups facilitate structured, transparent processes to consider potential candidates, focusing on community support, integrity, independence and capacity for public service. Endorsement is conducted by the community group itself, with the aim of selecting a candidate who is accountable to local people and aligned with shared community values, rather than to a political party.

While community independent candidates are shaped by the priorities of their own electorates, the movement across Australia is broadly united around a small number of shared policy principles. These commonly include integrity and accountability in public life, meaningful action on climate change, and a strong commitment to gender equality. How these priorities are expressed and developed is determined locally, through community consultation and ongoing engagement, rather than through centrally determined party platforms.

How campaigns are funded

Funding is a practical expression of the movement's philosophy. Because community independent campaigns are organised locally, they are typically supported in locally appropriate ways. Many rely on small contributions from people in the electorate, community fundraising activities and significant volunteer involvement. Supporters often contribute time, skills and labour alongside financial donations, reinforcing the sense that the campaign belongs to the community rather than to an external organisation.

Some candidates may also contribute personally, particularly in the early stages of a campaign, while some campaigns choose to seek external support from organisations that align with their values. Others do not. These choices vary from place to place and are made locally. Importantly, there is no single funding pathway that defines the movement.

What defines a community independent is not how a campaign is funded, but the commitment to local leadership, shared ownership and direct accountability to the community.

Learn more about the movement

These community independents are currently in Commonwealth parliament.

House of Representatives

Senate

Community Independents Project

The Community Independents Project is the key national networking and support organisation for the movement at the federal level. It does not endorse candidates in a party sense, but connects communities, shares resources and supports participatory democracy. Independents for Mornington Peninsula is proud to be part of this network. 

https://www.communityindependentsproject.org/