Community independent MPs are selected by, for and from the community. This allows them to respond, react and advocate for their community’s needs, with their voting based on community interests rather than party directives.

Although they have not had the balance of power in the House of Representatives in the current government, existing community independents’ voices have influenced debates and discussions in parliament, particularly on major issues such as climate change, parliamentary integrity, and women’s safety and equity. Their involvement has led to improved legislation, including:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 43% below 2005 levels by 2030;
• new vehicle efficiency standards for Australian vehicles;
• creating the National Anti-Corruption Commission in 2022 (championed by Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines);
• lowering indexation of student HECS debt (championed by Independent Member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan);
• making important changes to the legislative process in the Senate (led by Independent Senator for the ACT, David Pocock).

Community independents are also addressing issues long ignored by the two major political blocs. For example:

• Independent Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender convened a panel of national experts to develop a tax reform green paper;
• Independent Member for Curtin, Kate Chaney addressed community concerns by advocating for bans on online gambling advertising and convened Curtin Housing Forums to inform her advocacy on the housing and rental crisis.

The way community independents can engage to develop informed policy positions is significantly different to a typical major party backbench Member of Parliament. Independents have the opportunity and toolkit to inform their policy positions through consulting with subject matter experts, people with lived experience and constituents, through to subject specific forums and regular town halls. In contrast, backbenchers from major parties are directed how to vote by their party leadership. Without the overhead of internal party politics, independents can act with the best interests of their community, while getting things done for the country as a whole.