Community Independents Project
Our story
In 2013 Cathy McGowan was elected as a Community Independent to the federal seat of Indi. She handed the baton to Helen Haines in 2019 when Zali Steggall was also elected as the Independent Member for Warringah.
What Cathy and Helen achieved in a regional seat over successive elections, and Zali Steggall in a city seat, inspired a nationwide movement.
To share learnings and encourage more community independents, the inaugural Community-minded Independents Convention “Getting Elected” was held in February 2021. Beyond all expectations, 300 people across more than 72 federal electorates took part.
At the Convention participants asked for the knowledge sharing and network building to continue. In response, Cathy McGowan, Alana Johnson, Jill Briggs and Tina Jackson established the Community Independents Project. The Project continues the work of the Convention, putting community at the centre of Australian politics.
The Election on 21 May 2022 was a win for community and a better way of doing politics. Seven new Community Independents were elected, joining the four already there. We now have the biggest cross bench Australia has ever seen.
The cross bench now includes (L to R) Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo), Helen Haines (Indi), Kate Chaney (Curtin), Zoe Daniel (Goldstein), Zali Steggall (Warringah), Kylea Tink (North Sydney), Dr Sophie Scamps (Mackellar), Allegra Spender (Wentworth) and Dr Monique Ryan (Kooyong). David Pocock was elected as an Independent to the Senate.
In August 2022, CIP held the “Empowered Communities: Next Steps” Convention to celebrate an election like no other and plan what’s next. The June 2023 Convention theme was “Get Political: Communities taking political action” - connecting, collaborating, activating for a better Australia.
