From Our Community. For Our Community. Real Democracy In Action.

Independent for Sturt was created by local people, for local people. In mid-2024, a group of everyday residents from across the electorate came together to launch a people-powered campaign. They didn't know each other but were united by a commitment to:

• community-first values
• evidence-based policy
• honesty and integrity in politics

This group then set about asking what Sturt people wanted in a community candidate. They door knocked, held kitchen table discussions and events and they surveyed locals, to understand what people were really looking for. And the answer was clear, Sturt wanted someone with real-world experience, who lives here, is accessible and seen, wants real action on climate and isn’t a career politician.

Independent for Sturt then ran a robust recruitment process, to find a candidate that matched the characteristics and values that Sturt people had said they wanted. And from that process they found Dr Verity Cooper!