We’ve begun looking for our Independent for Sturt candidate, and your voice matters!
We'll hear from Rex Patrick, former Senator for SA & transparency warrior, Lou Nicholson, Council member for Alexandrina Counciland Phil Haines, Voices for Indi Campaign Manager about the importance of independent representation in government.
Then you'll have a chance to tell us the qualities you would like to see in an independent candidate. Plus you'll get to meet and share drinks with people from our special and diverse electorate of Sturt.
When: 6:00pm, 3 October 2024
Where: The Maid Hotel, 1 Magill Road, Stepney
Together, we can create a stronger future for Sturt. Hope to see you there!
Please RSVP to help our arrangements.
Why you will want to be there:
Doing democracy different starts with how we select the candidate and how we develop the policy platform for that candidate. Our evening speakers will share their experience of being an Independent and how independents put people before party.
Lou Nicholson is a current elected council member at Alexandrina Council and a strong advocate for independent political representation.
In the 2022 South Australian state election, Lou ran as an Independent candidate for the seat of Finniss, securing 49.3% of the final two-party preferred vote. Lou firmly believes that Independents are uniquely positioned to focus on the needs of the people they represent.
Rex Patrick represented South Australia in the Senate from November 2017 until June 2022, for much of that as an Independent. Best known as an anti-corruption and transparency crusader Rex believes that transparency is a critical element of a representative democracy.
Rex has now taken up the role as a full time ‘transparency warrior’. He extracts information from government using Freedom of Information laws to enable him and others, including the ‘Teal’ MPs and independent senators, to achieve better public policy outcomes.
When asked if he’s a trouble maker, Rex responds, “Yes, I proudly cause trouble – public interest trouble”.
Phil is a founding and continuing member of the community group known as 'Voices for Indi'. He was campaign director for the past four successful federal election campaigns in Indi for the community independents, Cathy McGowan (2013 and 2016) and Helen Haines (2019 and 2022). Phil was the driving force and multiple chapter author of the book, 'The Indi Way'. He is a recognised leader and proud champion of what has become a major political and social movement in Australia.
Phil had a successful career in agriculture R&D, strategy, investment, and policy, working in partnership with industry and farmers. He runs a small beef farm with Helen in northeast Victoria.