Ann Bray is a Strong Independents candidate for Kurrajong.

We could be running an experiment here in the ACT. Like the Gillard/Windsor/Oakeshott Government, there is the possibility that a raft of Independents could be voted into the Assembly and have a balance of power. How could this play out?

First, though, let’s consider how important it is to be prepared as Independents.

There is a train of thought in the world of political Independents that it is best to not have policies, just a bunch of priorities, and promise integrity, transparency and accountability. Plus, it’s hard to develop policies, right? Developing policies requires time, consultation and intellectual firepower. Strong Independents don’t believe motherhood statements are enough. The electorate deserves more than that. Policies are an indication of what you truly stand for, what your values really are, and how you think.

Whilst Peter Strong and I have never run for political office before, we have been involved in political processes, with many budgets, policies and procedures. Between the two of us, we have worked with Prime Ministers and many portfolio ministers from all the major and the minor parties, as well as with various Independents. As an advocate for small business, Peter Strong AM has been in the media for well over 15 years expressing opinion on many things. He probably has up to 100 opinion pieces out there in various publications across the nation. So, it’s a bit difficult to say “No ideas here.”

For myself, I have been in the private sector (manufacturing and my own small businesses). I’ve been a scientist, a teacher, and a public servant in various portfolios focused on small business, innovation, science, regulatory reform, industry, climate change and energy. I was also seconded as a chief of staff to a government minister. I finished my public sector career as a senior diplomat in the Australian Embassy in Washington DC. Because of this, I’ve gathered deep experience and knowledge and an understanding of issues and good administration.

Peter Strong and I have spent the last seven months doing the hard yards. We have spoken to experts, past senior officials of the ACT Government, not-for-profits, citizens, students, professionals (including innovators, scientists, teachers, nurses, lawyers and doctors) and businesses. We had priorities when we began in January, but now have firm policies. It’s taken a while, but they are well thought out. These policies have transformed into firm numbers and will be firm demands.

Let’s look at the scenario of Independents having a balance of power.

Firstly, if Independents get on the cross-bench, it is because the voters put them there, and we can infer that they liked their policies, if they had any. We, in our case, often get asked: “Which party will you support if you get control of the cross bench?” Well, there is one thing that is for certain, the point in time when Independents have the greatest bargaining power is when they have the balance of power. So, if you aren’t prepared as an Independent, be prepared to be disappointed.

In our case, because we have policies, we can point to firm numbers and firm demands, and say to the major parties – “Do you support them?” That way, we can make up our mind based on our policies, which are based on consultation and experience and support from voters – not on the majors’ needs and demands.

To go into an election without policies or just priorities might be OK if you don’t end up with a controlling vote. But if you do, then you must know what you want. The major parties will ply you with facts and figures and alternate arguments as they try to duchess or perhaps threaten you into submission. We are in the box seat. Without policies, we would be left floundering. Of course it is more complicated than that, yet we start from a position of strength.

If we do have a controlling vote, then another consideration is the make-up of their ministries. If it is Liberals, we don’t want to see any extreme right-wingers on the front bench. If it is to be Labor, then we would want a complete change of the Barr/Berry leadership and no-one associated with the CFMEU anywhere near the front bench. Those are beliefs we have that are not for debate. For these, we would go down with the political ship, there would be no white flag above our door – we are independent and always will be. (Thank you, Dido.)

And of course, when it comes to voting on bills in the Assembly, we are accountable, because we made promises.

Now – for the fun of it – let’s imagine that we end up with six or even eight Independents in the ACT Assembly. That group would truly have sway. Then we could perhaps demand that the Chief Minister be an Independent and there be a coalition of Ministers.

We could select ministers based on skills, not on which party factions they belong to, or who funded them, or which union is their supporter.

A government headed by an Independent with ministers chosen on ability, experience and capacity – that’d be a change worth voting for.

Perhaps, and probably this won’t happen, but being an Independent means that imagination is still allowed.

Independents don’t have left and right factions. But they do have left sides and right sides of their brains and all the other brain parts as well. Vote for them for a change, and it won’t get worse – because it can’t. Those that have policies are open and transparent. Check them out before voting!

As a trained scientist, I’m happy to conduct this experiment, with proper controls in place. Are you?

Views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.