ACT Labor announced its election candidates on the weekend, but a new group of independents aims to end the party’s two-decade-long grip on power.

Yesterday (Sunday 28 January), Chief Minister Andrew Barr promised that he and his team of 25 “progressive, practical, and proven” Labor candidates would strengthen public healthcare, build more affordable homes, and deliver real cost-of-living relief.

“Only Labor has a track record of delivering what matters,” the party claims.

But Independents for Canberra, which will be launched in February, say Territorians are not satisfied with the Labor-Greens government, and do not see the Canberra Liberals as a viable alternative.

“I’ve been speaking with community leaders representing diverse groups of people across the ACT and there’s a big appetite for a community-led independent movement at this year’s election,” said Thomas Emerson, one of the party’s founders.

“This government has been in power for 22 years. More community involvement in how decisions are made is well overdue.

“Canberrans want change, and we deserve better representation. It’s time to shift the balance of power in the ACT.”

The party’s founders come from both sides of the political spectrum: Mr Emerson is an advisor to Senator David Pocock, the ACT’s first independent senator, and is the son of former ALP minister Dr Craig Emerson, while Clare Carnell, barrister and ANU law lecturer, is the daughter of former Liberal Chief Minister Kate Carnell.

Inspired by the success of community independents at the 2022 federal election – including Senator Pocock – the party says it wants to find and support such candidates to be elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

“We want candidates who have never considered entering politics – that’s a good thing!,” Clare Carnell said. “We want fresh perspectives, not career politicians.

“There are talented people all across the ACT who see Canberra’s potential and would make fantastic MLAs. It’s time to bring them together and get them elected. If you’re committed, capable, and have integrity in spades, we want you.”

Meanwhile, ACT Labor is fielding nine of its current MLAs: Mr Barr and Rachel Stephen-Smith for Kurrajong; Yvette Berry and Tara Cheyne for Ginninderra; Mick Gentleman for Brindabella; Suzanne Orr and Michael Pettersson for Yerrabi; and Chris Steel and Dr Marisa Paterson for Murrumbidgee.

By now, Canberrans have a fair idea of their capability and integrity.

The new Labor candidates include Aggi Court, Martin Greenwood, and Marina Talevski (Kurrajong); Tim Bavinton, Heidi Prowse OAM, and Sean Sadimoen (Ginninderra); Louise Crossman, Brendan Forde, Caitlin Tough, and Taimus Werner-Gibbings (Brindabella); Mallika Raj, Ravinder Sahni, and Pradeep Sornaraj (Yerrabi); and Noor El-Asadi, Nelson Tang, and Anna Whitty (Murrumbidgee).

Labor plans to “continue building Canberra’s future while ensuring our city remains one of the world’s most liveable”, Mr Barr said; their “progressive, nation-leading policies … will improve people’s lives and make Canberra an even better place to live”.

Labor, Mr Barr promised, will make record investment in public healthcare, including more nurses and doctors; build more public schools, improve TAFE facilities, expand the university sector, and employ more teachers; build infrastructure and housing, while protecting public space; create new jobs and keep the economy the strongest and fairest in the country; and roll out practical solutions for Canberrans struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

Independents for Canberra will be launched at a public town hall event on 11 February. Senator Pocock, former independent ACT MLA Michael Moore, and independent MP Kate Chaney will attend. Visit www.independentsforcanberra.com for more information about support, volunteering, nominating candidates, or to RSVP.

“Australians have shown that they want more independents in parliament who are trying to genuinely represent their communities ahead of any party interests,” Senator Pocock said.

“The Hare-Clark system makes it extremely difficult for independents to get elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly. It’s been more than 25 years since the election of the last independent.

“I think more choice is a great thing for our democracy, so I commend anyone willing to put their hand up to work hard to represent their community on the issues that matter to them.

“I’m focussed on representing Canberrans in the Senate, but I’m glad my election has inspired others to run for the Legislative Assembly. I encourage people who want to see more independents in our democracy to get involved.”

The Belco Party, a northside independent party, welcomed the announcement of Independents for Canberra.

“The Assembly always worked best in my view when there was a strong crossbench,” its convenor, Bill Stefaniak AM, former leader of the Canberra Liberals, said. “The current government has not been good for Canberra for at least the last 10 years. Labor has been in power for 23 years, and the Greens have been a latched-on coalition partner (just like the Liberals/Nationals at federal level) for 12 years now. It’s time for a change, and I can’t see the local Liberals getting 13 seats to form a majority government. 

“There has only been a majority government once (Jon Stanhope’s from 2004 to 2008) – and that was only because Jon helped save a drowning pilot during the January 2003 bushfires.

“I will be interested to see who runs for this new group of independents. The Belco Party has already announced former Detective Sergeant Jason Taylor, a local Ngunnawal resident and a man who almost lost his life protecting our local community, as a candidate for Yerrabi.

“We urge future independent candidates to work together. Indeed, there is a lot to be said for independents to combine their efforts to maximise the potential for good people to be elected. We look forward to working with this new grouping, and are happy to talk further to them in that regard, so we can maximise the effectiveness of good independents.

“As a party formed to look after the interests of the outer, more neglected areas of Canberra, the Belco Party’s emphasis is on those areas rather than the more affluent Inner North and South, but it is a positive sign to see independents getting geared up to stand in all seats. 

“It’s time for a change, and the best way to do that is for Canberrans to not vote Greens or Labor this time around,” Mr Stefaniak said.