Skip navigation
  1. Home
  2. About
  3. FAQ
  4. Independents
Who is Deb? Why is Deb running? Why vote for Deb? Why vote independent? What can Independents do? How are Deb's policies formed? Who will Deb give her preferences to? What will Deb do in a hung parliament? How is the campaign funded? Does Deb receive funding from Simon Holmes a Court? Is Deb a "Teal"?

What can Independents do?

Answer

So much! Independents only focus on what their electorate needs, rather than playing party games.  They hold the major parties accountable, make improvements to legislation, and make sure issues of integrity and  transparency are brought to light. An independent MP is never in opposition – they can work with either side of  politics to make sure their community is represented. 

Here are just some examples:  

Helen Haines, Independent MP for Indi:  

  • Secured tens of millions of dollars for road upgrades and pothole fixes 
  • Millions of dollars invested in her regional economy 
  • Investment in community batteries and microgrids to lower power bills and provide energy security
  • Introduced Unlocking Regional Housing Bill to guarantee dedicated funding for enabling infrastructure in  rural, regional and remote Australia.  
  • Introduced legislation for an Independent Commission Against Corruption which was ultimately adopted  (neither major party would have done this without pressure from independents) 

Andrew Wilkie, Independent MP for Clark 

  • $340m for new hospital in his electorate 
  • Poker Machine Reform: achieved significant changes in gambling laws to reduce harm caused by poker  machines. 
  • Health and Infrastructure: Secured federal funding for health services and infrastructure in Hobart. 

Cathy McGowan, former Independent MP for Indi

  • 50 new mobile phone towers in telecommunications blackspots 
  • Advocated and secured state funding for the Wangaratta Hospital Upgrade  
  • Established the Future Drought fund resulting in at least $20m a year for drought preparedness
  • Secured funding for the North East Rail Line 

Zali Steggall, Independent MP for Warringah 

  • Helped her community apply for and receive grants totalling over $133 million, including $7 million in  funding for the Manly Warringah Gymnastics  
  • Introduced legislation to stop the lies in political advertising.  
  • Secured amendments to the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Act to improve national environmental  standards and protections 

Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong 

  • Succeeded in having $3 billion of student debt wiped and secured significant reforms to the HECS system  to make indexing fairer.  
  • Introduced the “Clean Up Politics Act” to improve transparency around lobbying of members of parliament.  

David Pocock, Independent Senator for ACT 

  • Introduced the “Duty of Care Bill” to require that politicians and policy makers have a duty of care to young  people and future generations. 
  • Strengthened Aged Care Bill to provide better care for older Australians
  • Secured important amendments to strengthen Climate Change legislation 
  • Continues to advocate strongly for housing affordability and social equity issues.