The real power of independents (31 Aug 2024)
Article summary: John Hewson, a professor at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and former Liberal opposition leader, argues that the rise of independent movements in Australian politics marks an irreversible improvement in governance. Hewson criticises the mainstream media for downplaying the influence of these independents, who gained ground due to widespread dissatisfaction with the major parties' failure to represent their constituencies effectively. This dissatisfaction is evident in the declining primary votes for both Labor and the Coalition since World War II, with a significant shift in the last election driven by concerns over climate response, government integrity, and respect for women.
Hewson points out that while Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party claim they are developing strategies to reclaim seats lost to independents, they have yet to improve their policies on key issues that cost them votes. Instead, they focus on attacking independents for supposedly supporting Labor and the Greens. Despite this, the independents remain committed to reflecting the views of their communities, not aligning with any particular party, which Hewson sees as a positive change in Australian governance.
Hewson also notes that the upcoming election could result in a hung parliament, with Labor potentially needing to negotiate with independents to maintain stability. He believes that the influence of independents is here to stay, as they have consolidated their positions and continue to represent voter concerns effectively. The presence of independents provides a crucial alternative to the major parties, ensuring a more responsive and representative government.
Related article: Big parties freezing out the independents? (1 Jan 2024)
