Wow. What a movement. In just five short years, the community independents movement in the ACT has grown from a couple of people banging their kitchen table in frustration at the state of politics to today’s vibrant presence both federally and in the territory.
Not only do we have three incumbent independents – David Pocock in the Senate, and Fiona Carrick and Tom Emerson at the territory level – but the community movement is also growing. With Voices of groups in all three federal electorates – and an incredible community backed candidate already identified in Jessie Price in Bean – the movement has never been stronger.
The people of the ACT – and more broadly – are clearly looking for something different. Tired of politics as usual, tired of focus group talking points, tired of a lack of ambition, common sense and collaboration, we are looking for something more. Something that is grounded in community, grounded in listening to the people of the electorate and truly representing their needs and perspectives up on the hill. The South Australian election has shown the rise of One Nation, but in some places, like here in the ACT, we have other options. Community backed independents offer a different path, one which we can walk down together.
The development of Voices of Belconnen and Gungahlin is to me an example of the innovation and flexibility so present in this movement. When a group of residents came together just a few short months ago, there was discussion about it being truly community driven – of spending some time talking to people and gauging interest in an independent before fulling establishing the organisation. At proACT we were delighted to support this, and very happy for the group to come under the wing of proACT in these early days. And what excellent thinking to be exploring at the federal and territory levels together – so that when listening to the people of Belconnen and Gungahlin, we don’t need to separate out, but instead get a strong grasp of what’s important to people in the federal seat of Fenner and the territory electorates of Yerrabi and Ginnindera.
People are looking for change, but change doesn’t just happen. We need to make it happen. Reflecting back on the last few years, I think the elements for success are having the right moment, the right candidate and the right community groundswell. While it’s early days, the initial reactions from people on the streets at stalls would indicate that the moment is right. By building a community movement over the coming months, Voices of Belconnen and Gungahlin will be building that groundswell and be in the best possible position to attract and identify the right candidate. With a federal election two years away and a territory one two and a half, the time is right to engage, to listen, to seek views – if we’re all part of the conversation, we’ll be able to build the future our city needs.
Clare Doube works in human rights in Australia and internationally. She first moved to Canberra in 2008 and co-founded proACT in 2021. Since then she’s been active in the community independent movement in the ACT and nationally