A different approach to politics
The Community Independents movement has grown across Australia in response to a growing desire for politics that is more connected to local communities.
Community independents are not members of a political party. Their campaigns are built around their local community and the issues that matter to the people who live there.
The approach is based on a simple idea: representatives should be accountable to their community, not to a political party.
What is a community independent?
A community independent is someone who seeks election without the backing or direction of a political party and who is committed to representing the people of their electorate.
Community independent campaigns are generally community-led and locally organised. They bring people together to listen, identify local priorities, consider potential candidates and build support for an independent representative.
There is no single organisation that controls the movement and no central party platform. Each community develops its own approach, reflecting its local circumstances and priorities.
What connects the movement is a commitment to:
- Local decision-making
- Independence from political parties
- Integrity and transparency
- Community participation
- Direct accountability to voters
How is this different from party politics?
Political parties operate through established structures, with candidates generally selected within the party and expected to work within party policies and positions.
Community independents take a different approach.
They are identified, supported and held accountable locally. Their relationship with the community does not end on election day. The expectation is that an elected independent will continue listening to constituents, explaining their decisions and advocating for the interests of their community.
This does not mean every community independent will agree on every issue. Independence allows representatives to consider each issue on its merits and make decisions based on the interests and values of their electorate.
How are candidates chosen?
Community independent candidates emerge through community-led processes.
Different communities use different approaches, but these can include public meetings, community surveys, expressions of interest, interviews and other forms of consultation.
The aim is to identify someone who is trusted by the community, has the skills and character needed for public office, and is prepared to be genuinely accountable to the people they represent.
For Indies for MP, this means providing a structured process through which potential candidates can be considered, assessed and endorsed.
What does the movement stand for?
Community independents are not bound by a single national policy platform.
However, many groups across Australia share broad commitments to integrity and accountability in public life, meaningful action on climate change and gender equality.
How these priorities are expressed — and the other issues that matter most — is determined locally through community conversations and the circumstances of each electorate.
How are campaigns funded?
Community independent campaigns are generally built through local support and significant volunteer involvement.
People contribute in many ways — through donations, fundraising, volunteering, professional skills and simply encouraging others to participate.
Funding arrangements vary between campaigns. What matters is that the campaign remains connected to the community it seeks to represent and that appropriate transparency and accountability are maintained.
Community independents in Australia
House of Representatives
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Helen Haines MP (Indi, VIC)
https://www.helenhaines.org/ -
Zali Steggall OAM MP (Warringah, NSW)
https://www.zalisteggall.com.au/ -
Allegra Spender MP (Wentworth, NSW)
https://allegraspender.com.au/ -
Dr Monique Ryan MP (Kooyong, VIC)
https://www.moniqueryan.com.au/ -
Dr Sophie Scamps MP (Mackellar, NSW)
https://www.sophiescamps.com.au/ -
Kate Chaney MP (Curtin, WA)
https://www.katechaney.com.au/ -
Nicolette Boele MP (Bradfield, NSW)
https://www.nicolettemp.com.au/
Senate
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Senator David Pocock (ACT)
https://www.davidpocock.com.au/
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.