"Teal" independents have mostly done well in contests with the Liberal party for well-off urban seats, but other independents have won in rural and regional seats, and Greens compete mainly for Labor votes. If LNP ever went back to preferencing Greens, Labor would be in real trouble.
When the Murdoch media (et al) starts to wage its fear campaign of lies, smears and misinformation, I wonder if Albanese will reflect: “If only I could’ve done something about it …”
Undermined? I prefer, enhanced. Democracy is enhanced with Community Based Independents and the Greens presenting a truly democratic way. Whilst I would be fascinated to watch the cross bench pull Dutton's strings, my preference would be a real Progressive government. Labor needs a backbone plus it needs to be rid of the likes of Marles, Conroy and Farrell.
I suspect a crossbench that put Dutton in as PM would shatter a lot of the informal coalitions on which community support is built. More or less the opposite of what happened with the independents under Gillard.
McGowan’s point about the joy of community building is critical. I’ve seen the energy and enthusiasm building for the past year around a selected community independent in my seat of Monash. Meetings of 10 or so people a year ago have now become 70 or 80+ all over the electorate. The volunteer base is now in the hundreds, and every call-out for door-knocking or local market leafleting etc attracts more and more willing hands… and hearts. I’m sure that for most people this is an experience of politics they could really never have imagined until they got involved.
Interesting to hear. And absolutely: people really get surprised at how much they enjoy the process. This line was spot on, I thought: “So, the actual engagement in democracy is creating its own epicentre of interest, which is much, much stronger than ‘I want to get rid of the two parties’.”
Great, thanks Tim. The way in which Cathy not only took on the system in her electorate but is continuing the process of getting the message out and helping to empower voters around the country is a terrific breath of fresh air and hope.
I think a phenomenon that has largely been overlooked thus far is how the movement is also branching into state elections. With the WA state election coming up on 8 March, there are a number of candidates already announced in Perth electorates. Is this a factor mainly of the captured MSM?
I agree with you rather than Cathy about the movement disrupting the duopoly. We encounter wide ranging dissatisfaction with the system as a whole and with Labor, which, seemingly trying to stay so close to the Coal-ition, continuing to disappoint many who had consistently been strong supporters of Labor. Whether at local, state or federal level, people have been deeply disillusioned by the failure to act decisively on climate, environment, social and housing issues, the genocide, AUKUS, etc. It's no longer a movement merely disillusioned with Liberal MP's, but rather with any MP who appears to have lost touch with their electorate and the strict system of party discipline which prevents party members from speaking up, even when they personally may not be entirely comfortable with the party line.
Had Labor listened to what its parliamentarians in progressive seats were telling them plus allowed individual voting, they might have differentiated themselves from the ultra-conservative Opposition and been more electable.
Neat & enlightening article TD. In reading this I was reminded of an aphoristic quote that has been attributed to Michelangelo:
'the greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we mis it, but that it is too low & we reach it'.
Hell I'm out to change the system of govt & 'dump the duopoly 2025'.
Even Crikey's Bernard Keane is getting onboard with a solution: 'The petro-politics of Western Australia is costing us billions. This is how we end it
Labor and the Coalition are both terrified of losing seats in WA. Subjecting them to the same fear in eastern states is the only option voters have.' (Bernard Keane Jan 15, 2025).
Thanks for this, Tim. Your work consistently cuts through the noise to focus on what matters. The community independents’ movement is inspiring, and McGowan’s perspective on engagement over electoral outcomes is refreshing.
That said, I can’t shake a deeper worry: the big stuff - genuine tax reform, fairer public education funding, and ensuring resource profits benefit everyone (not the same societal cancers - feels perpetually out of reach. These movements build hope, but will they ever build the leverage needed to tackle those foundational inequities? That’s the clammy dread I can’t seem to shake.
"Teal" independents have mostly done well in contests with the Liberal party for well-off urban seats, but other independents have won in rural and regional seats, and Greens compete mainly for Labor votes. If LNP ever went back to preferencing Greens, Labor would be in real trouble.
I loved reading this. 😊
very interesting analysis
Thank you
When the Murdoch media (et al) starts to wage its fear campaign of lies, smears and misinformation, I wonder if Albanese will reflect: “If only I could’ve done something about it …”
Beautiful!
Undermined? I prefer, enhanced. Democracy is enhanced with Community Based Independents and the Greens presenting a truly democratic way. Whilst I would be fascinated to watch the cross bench pull Dutton's strings, my preference would be a real Progressive government. Labor needs a backbone plus it needs to be rid of the likes of Marles, Conroy and Farrell.
...and Madeline King.
I suspect a crossbench that put Dutton in as PM would shatter a lot of the informal coalitions on which community support is built. More or less the opposite of what happened with the independents under Gillard.
VERY interesting.
Yeah, I thought it was. I wish I had another hour.
Community driven democracy, Common Wealth - love these ideas - we all benefit
McGowan’s point about the joy of community building is critical. I’ve seen the energy and enthusiasm building for the past year around a selected community independent in my seat of Monash. Meetings of 10 or so people a year ago have now become 70 or 80+ all over the electorate. The volunteer base is now in the hundreds, and every call-out for door-knocking or local market leafleting etc attracts more and more willing hands… and hearts. I’m sure that for most people this is an experience of politics they could really never have imagined until they got involved.
Interesting to hear. And absolutely: people really get surprised at how much they enjoy the process. This line was spot on, I thought: “So, the actual engagement in democracy is creating its own epicentre of interest, which is much, much stronger than ‘I want to get rid of the two parties’.”
Yes. It's an experience they seem unlikely to want to give up just because an election is over..
Great, thanks Tim. The way in which Cathy not only took on the system in her electorate but is continuing the process of getting the message out and helping to empower voters around the country is a terrific breath of fresh air and hope.
I think a phenomenon that has largely been overlooked thus far is how the movement is also branching into state elections. With the WA state election coming up on 8 March, there are a number of candidates already announced in Perth electorates. Is this a factor mainly of the captured MSM?
I agree with you rather than Cathy about the movement disrupting the duopoly. We encounter wide ranging dissatisfaction with the system as a whole and with Labor, which, seemingly trying to stay so close to the Coal-ition, continuing to disappoint many who had consistently been strong supporters of Labor. Whether at local, state or federal level, people have been deeply disillusioned by the failure to act decisively on climate, environment, social and housing issues, the genocide, AUKUS, etc. It's no longer a movement merely disillusioned with Liberal MP's, but rather with any MP who appears to have lost touch with their electorate and the strict system of party discipline which prevents party members from speaking up, even when they personally may not be entirely comfortable with the party line.
Had Labor listened to what its parliamentarians in progressive seats were telling them plus allowed individual voting, they might have differentiated themselves from the ultra-conservative Opposition and been more electable.
Neat & enlightening article TD. In reading this I was reminded of an aphoristic quote that has been attributed to Michelangelo:
'the greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we mis it, but that it is too low & we reach it'.
Hell I'm out to change the system of govt & 'dump the duopoly 2025'.
Even Crikey's Bernard Keane is getting onboard with a solution: 'The petro-politics of Western Australia is costing us billions. This is how we end it
Labor and the Coalition are both terrified of losing seats in WA. Subjecting them to the same fear in eastern states is the only option voters have.' (Bernard Keane Jan 15, 2025).
It's interesting more and more are speaking in these terms, which was why I raised it with CM.
Thanks for this, Tim. Your work consistently cuts through the noise to focus on what matters. The community independents’ movement is inspiring, and McGowan’s perspective on engagement over electoral outcomes is refreshing.
That said, I can’t shake a deeper worry: the big stuff - genuine tax reform, fairer public education funding, and ensuring resource profits benefit everyone (not the same societal cancers - feels perpetually out of reach. These movements build hope, but will they ever build the leverage needed to tackle those foundational inequities? That’s the clammy dread I can’t seem to shake.
What about the Greens? Why do they not try to help, to become a part of the demolition of the Big Money people?
The enemy is the group of billionares.