Today marks day just six after having first published our website. In that time we've held three mobile stalls, with more to come this weekend. The conversations have been positive, and the message appears straightforward: people are open to talking about the future of their community. They don't appear to be waiting for political parties - of any colour - to set the terms of that conversation.
Housing affordability, cost‑of‑living pressures and wealth inequality are just a few of the recurrent themes that are coming through in the feedback received so far. People are conveying to us that these issues are not being addressed with the seriousness that they require.
These early stalls have also indicated that residents want representatives who can explain policy choices, and demonstrate that decisions are grounded in evidence rather than internal party dynamics. Accountability, and a clear line of sight between a community's priorities and government action on those priorities appears to be fundamental to rebuilding a model of representation in which elected officials are answerable to their communities, rather than internal party structures.
That is why our community survey — now live — is so important. It moves the conversations we are having from anecdote-based to data-informed. It will helps us understand not only what issues matter most to people, but how well they feel their representatives are engaging with them and representing their interests, and whether they have a desire for something different.
In our first week we have also seen a steady increase in volunteers — people with backgrounds in planning, community services, small business, education, and local advocacy. Their expertise strengthens our ability to analyse what we’re hearing and translate it into a clear picture of community priorities. Their involvement reinforces a simple point: when you create a credible process for community‑driven participation in our democracy, people step forward.
This Saturday, we’ll be at Celebrate Gungahlin. We’ll be standing alongside Senator David Pocock, whose approach to evidence‑based decision‑making and transparent representation has set a benchmark for what independent, community‑mandated leadership can look like. We'll also be hosting Social Drinks at Herbert's at Evatt on Saturday afternoon. If you haven’t yet taken part, come and Visit our stall, or come along to our drinks (RSVPs essential).
Hope to chat with you soon!
Leigh
Leigh Cox was formerly the campaign coordinator for Independents for Canberra and served as Independent MLA for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson's interim Chief of Staff.