While much of Australia's electoral system already favours the two major parties, independents are feeling even more hard done by given requirements for nominators.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Anyone hoping to stand in a federal byelection as an independent is obliged to first obtain 100 individual nominators from within the electorate. A party candidate only requires the signature of one party official.
Three independents have already made their intentions for the Eden-Monaro byelection known - Andrew Thaler, Karen Porter and Riccardo Bosi.
Both Ms Porter and Mr Bosi have the backing of aspiring political groups - New Liberals and Australia One respectively - but neither has been officially registered yet, hence the pair's 'independent' tag.
Ms Bosi said he understood the reasoning behind the 100 nominators requirement.
"It is a legitimate hurdle to overcome and is a great opportunity for the electorate to become aware of Australia One and my candidacy," Mr Bosi said.
"The major parties have jumped those hurdles already and this requirement is a safeguard against pretenders."
However, both Mr Thaler and Ms Porter agreed it amounted to an uneven playing field from the word go.
It's made even worse given COVID-19 restrictions and the apparent refusal of the Australian Electoral Commission to accept digitally submitted nominator details.
"There is a huge disadvantage to independents to have to get 100 'signatures' of 100 electors in our communities," Mr Thaler, of Nimmitabel, said.
"This has only been made worse by the virus lockdowns and exclusions. I have sought to get my 100 nominators to send me their nomination by email, or text message and the AEC has told me this is not allowed under the Act.
"I challenged this decision as I believe this is an appropriate solution in respect of Section 172 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 - which needs a bit of an update by the way.
"I say that having a digital copy of a nomination sent to me to submit is 'substantially' complying with the Act.
"I note that it is allowed under the Act to send in my forms by fax, but not email, and I wonder why this is?
"Is it because a fax uses analogue communications whereas email is digital? I would hope we are not that stuck in the past.
"I have tried to avoid knocking on the doors of our elderly people, to not to make them feel they might be at risk. I also now have to keep details of every person I met, in case someone is tested positive for a virus and I might need to contact trace.
"The political parties did not need to do any of this."
Ms Porter of Bredbo agreed.
"They treat independents so poorly. There needs to be a level playing field as this is democracy," she said.
"The Prime Minister wrote to all constituents on his letterhead asking them to vote for Fiona and this was mailed to all homes on the roll. He has been escorting Fiona at taxpayer's expense around the electorate. Albanese has done the same.
"It is clear that these two parties are spending a motza on this byelection. This is money that our fire victims need. It just makes me sick."
Ms Porter said she didn't see much benefit to the signatures.
"The 100 signatures means nothing except that I think it would put off fickle candidates who couldn't be bothered talking to 100 people.
"I think everyone should have an assessment of their morals and ethics before they can enrol - a fresh new approach to politicians. Like applying for a job, get some real information about the candidates."
While time consuming and at odds with recent health restrictions, both Mr Thaler and Ms Porter said getting out to meet and chat with at least 100 voters had certain benefits.
"Most of the 100 people that signed were unknown to me before," Ms Porter said.
"One of the main benefits of the 100 was that I asked them about themselves and their concerns. They took a lot of time as people loved what I was doing and enjoyed the chat."
Mr Thaler said if party politicians were required to do the same it might result in a better quality of candidate.
"I think we might have a better quality of party candidate if they too had to go and get 100 nominator signatures from out in our communities, not from within their party memberships and echo chambers.
"Going out and meeting people to explain the candidates ideas and policies would be a great leveller, and might see a greater scrutiny applied to who is 'chosen' by the parties to represent them."
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
