Together for Riverina members Emily Nuck, James Tonson and Dr Trudi Beck. Photo: Chris Roe.
Grassroots community group Together for Riverina is on the hunt for an independent candidate who will put “people before politics” at next year’s federal election.
Rather than focussing on ideology and policy, the group is hoping to find a community-minded local who will genuinely advocate on behalf of the Riverina.
Founding member James Tonson said it was about doing politics differently.
“We’re looking for a candidate who can listen to the community and take the community’s lead about what the policy priorities are, not have the priorities set by somebody else,” he said.
“We’re here to give the community an opportunity to tell us what they’d like to see in the candidate, and we’re putting forward those values of respect and integrity, transparency, inclusivity and constructiveness – being able to make a change for the better, for the benefit of the local community.”
Fellow committee member Dr Trudi Beck said the impact of community independents in the wake of the last federal election had highlighted the shortcomings of the two-party system.
“People have seen what the Teal independents have been able to do, and I think that that’s given legitimacy to the idea that even a previous stronghold of a major party has got the potential to do really well under an independent candidate lead,” Dr Beck said.
“Other independent candidates have been the reluctant hero. So often it’s someone who doesn’t necessarily have a background of strong political motivations.
“It might be someone who is well recognised within their community as a really ethical person who is a deep listener.”
In October, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) confirmed new boundaries for the seat of Riverina that are expected to reduce the margin of the incumbent Nationals member, Michael McCormack.
“There are new electoral boundaries for the electorate, which now include the Yass Valley, Snowy Valleys, the Upper Lachlan,” said Mr Tonson.
“That creates a change in the electoral profile, and it creates an opportunity for the communities to come together and have a say themselves about who they’d like to see as a representative for Riverina.
“It certainly changes the kind of demographic mix that’s in the electorate, and it adds people with different sets of interests.”
Together for Riverina is open to expressions of interest until 8 pm on 6 December and has listed five qualities they are looking for in a candidate:
- Demonstrated connection to community
- Effective listening and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and negotiate to achieve positive outcomes
- Commitment to evidence-based solutions to problems facing our community
- Demonstrated achievement in their work and/or community life.
Potential candidates will participate in an online forum with community feedback considered by a selection committee that includes three members of the Together for Riverina Steering Committee.
“An independent has to be able to run on their own platform and be accountable to themselves and to the community through that process,” said Mr Tonson.
“We’re not here to pull anyone’s strings. That’s not the point.”
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