March 2025

Not going into the May 3 election with an Independent for Cook

The concept behind the Community Independents Movement in Australia (to which we belong) is to build up our community before we select and endorse a candidate.  The candidate who eventually comes forward and we endorse is therefore not self-selected – but rather selected and supported by us, their community.

As we are NOT a political party, any community independent candidate we finally endorse would therefore run their own campaign in an election – separate from Voices of Cook.  Then once elected, they will put their community first – not corporate donors, vested interests and their party bosses.

Selection Process

The process of candidate selection will be to first invite potential candidates to come forward.  We will put out a public Expression of Interest (EOI) on social media, newspapers, our website, setting out the attributes or experience we would require any potential candidate to have.  

This is how many of the current community independents (such as the ‘teals’) have been selected in recent elections.

Once we receive submissions of all EOIs, applicants would initially be screened and interviewed by the VoC organising committee.  The next vital step would be to set up ways for all VoC members to get to know the potential candidates – preferably at a town hall type event where the would-be candidates could present their case as to why they believe they would be the right fit to represent the people of Cook in a future election.  Voices of Cook would then set up a method for all VoC members to vote for their preferred candidate, who would then be endorsed by us.

Some takeaways from Kitchen Table Conversations

What do you think are the qualities required of a good political representative?

“Honestly [sic], Integrity, Intelligence and a good knowledge of the Community they represent”

“The ability to listen to everyone in the community- not just those who speak the loudest”

“They need to listen to the people they represent and be courageous enough to be accountable to them, not other vested interests or their political party”

“A homegrown person that has a balanced view on community issues. Someone is who thinks practically, and doesn’t lean too far left or right.”

“Someone who listens to the community and drives the agenda for reform for that community.”

What would make for a stronger relationship between people and their elected representative?

“More consultation and work for the best of the country not just criticising the other party”

“To be a local of their Community not a blow in who has no knowledge or understanding of that Community”

“Regular town hall meetings around various sites in the electorate”

“Local polls on what’s of critical importance and constituent preferences.”

“A local candidate who listens and acts on the wishes of constituents and is not bound by party politics.”

“More opportunity for consultation and proof the representative is acting on that input.”

Do you feel you have had an adequate voice in the way you have been represented?

“(Our) representative votes along party lines, not what the citizens want or what is best for the nation”

“Only response from previous MP on issues raised was a standard letter stating how wonderful they are. MP have just voted on party lines”

“Our federal mp has blocked me from his facebook for providing feedback so we have to take our concerns to the media”

“anonymousUnfortunately our 2-party system of capitalist democracy is too flawed for it to work in the modern era. We get bogged down on too many minority / non-mission-critical issues, and the big issues go nowhere.”

“The Labor government has rushed through multiple pieces of important legislation which eliminates the opportunity for proper debate. This is against the ideals of democracy. Giving a bill an hour for debate with minimal notice is very poor. The Misinformation Bill is a good example which is a gross over reach of government.”

“The Cook electorate has been a safe Liberal seat for far too long and my representatives never do anything that isn't completely aligned to this party and the vested interests that back them. I am sickened by the continued failure to take real action on climate change, the treatment of Indigenous people and anyone who is not white, male and wealthy.”