1 00:00:23,628 --> 00:00:28,438 Speaker 1: From Mamamia Hi, I'm claire Murphy. Welcome to the Quicky 2 00:00:28,448 --> 00:00:32,418 Speaker 1: getting you up to speed daily. In our recent Mamamia 3 00:00:32,648 --> 00:00:36,178 Speaker 1: votes survey. Many of you asked a very similar question, 4 00:00:36,188 --> 00:00:39,418 Speaker 1: is voting for Independents good or bad? is it worth 5 00:00:39,418 --> 00:00:43,688 Speaker 1: voting for Independents? Is a vote for Independents a wasted vote? 6 00:00:43,698 --> 00:00:47,268 Speaker 1: Whenever an election comes around here in Australia, we're always 7 00:00:47,268 --> 00:00:50,598 Speaker 1: told that voting for an independent is a wasted vote, 8 00:00:50,608 --> 00:00:54,108 Speaker 1: that they hold no power and therefore cannot affect any 9 00:00:54,108 --> 00:00:57,768 Speaker 1: real change. But is that actually true? With this year's 10 00:00:57,768 --> 00:01:00,948 Speaker 1: list of Independent candidates shaping up to be the strongest 11 00:01:00,948 --> 00:01:04,358 Speaker 1: yet today we look into whether a vote for them 12 00:01:04,368 --> 00:01:07,848 Speaker 1: will change the political landscape when the dust settles on 13 00:01:07,848 --> 00:01:08,748 Speaker 1: May 21. 14 00:01:10,928 --> 00:01:16,058 Speaker 1: The 2022 federal election is shaping up a little differently 15 00:01:16,058 --> 00:01:19,328 Speaker 1: from those of the past. There are a stack more 16 00:01:19,338 --> 00:01:24,358 Speaker 1: Independent candidates, mostly women, who are challenging Liberal MPs in 17 00:01:24,368 --> 00:01:27,668 Speaker 1: inner city electorates and giving those who vote there an 18 00:01:27,668 --> 00:01:29,598 Speaker 1: alternative to the major parties. 19 00:01:29,928 --> 00:01:35,678 Speaker 1: Australians frustrated by the in fighting, bullying, accusations of sexual misconduct, 20 00:01:35,688 --> 00:01:39,048 Speaker 1: the rorting pork barrelling and alleged corruption of the major 21 00:01:39,048 --> 00:01:42,568 Speaker 1: parties could turn that resentment into a vote for a 22 00:01:42,568 --> 00:01:45,738 Speaker 1: candidate who doesn't have to hold a party line, 23 00:01:46,128 --> 00:01:50,118 Speaker 1: liberals Tim Wilson, Trent Zimmerman and Dave Sharma are all 24 00:01:50,118 --> 00:01:54,668 Speaker 1: facing real threats from Independent candidates. While Labor and the 25 00:01:54,668 --> 00:01:57,468 Speaker 1: Greens haven't been able to capture the hearts of those 26 00:01:57,468 --> 00:02:01,118 Speaker 1: electorates in the past, these independents may be able to 27 00:02:01,118 --> 00:02:04,408 Speaker 1: not just grab those who would normally vote for those parties, 28 00:02:04,628 --> 00:02:09,818 Speaker 1: but also peel some from disenfranchised liberal voters too. While 29 00:02:09,818 --> 00:02:12,888 Speaker 1: Independents of the past have struggled to run against major 30 00:02:12,888 --> 00:02:16,208 Speaker 1: party candidates who have war chests full of cash to 31 00:02:16,208 --> 00:02:19,268 Speaker 1: back their people in the community at election time, this 32 00:02:19,268 --> 00:02:22,828 Speaker 1: time around some of those going it alone also have 33 00:02:22,828 --> 00:02:25,048 Speaker 1: someone in their financial corner. 34 00:02:25,628 --> 00:02:29,398 Speaker 1: For example, Treasurer josh Frydenberg is facing a challenge from 35 00:02:29,398 --> 00:02:33,588 Speaker 1: pediatric neurologist Monique Ryan in his blue ribbon Melbourne seat 36 00:02:33,588 --> 00:02:37,808 Speaker 1: of Kooyong. She is one of the climate 200 candidates, 37 00:02:37,878 --> 00:02:41,928 Speaker 1: A group of Independents whose platforms are to back decisive 38 00:02:41,928 --> 00:02:47,268 Speaker 1: science backed climate action. Originally funded by Simon Holmes a Court, 39 00:02:47,278 --> 00:02:50,948 Speaker 1: son of Australia's first ever billionaire Robert Holmes a court. 40 00:02:51,128 --> 00:02:54,548 Speaker 1: It now has the backing of many local donors too. 41 00:02:55,028 --> 00:02:59,648 Speaker 1: The only candidate outspending Dr Ryan's campaign in Kooyong is 42 00:02:59,648 --> 00:03:03,248 Speaker 1: the treasurer himself. Australian politics is broken. 43 00:03:05,118 --> 00:03:07,548 Speaker 1: That's the problem. That's why we're here today. 44 00:03:08,128 --> 00:03:10,348 Speaker 1: Australians are generally a positive people 45 00:03:11,128 --> 00:03:15,478 Speaker 1: yet engaged. Australians are deeply frustrated that we're not making 46 00:03:15,478 --> 00:03:17,398 Speaker 1: progress on the issues that matter. 47 00:03:18,398 --> 00:03:19,548 Speaker 1: We are frustrated 48 00:03:20,628 --> 00:03:23,698 Speaker 1: that so often our government is found to be either 49 00:03:23,698 --> 00:03:24,248 Speaker 1: lying 50 00:03:24,628 --> 00:03:25,548 Speaker 1: or incompetent. 51 00:03:26,008 --> 00:03:27,038 Speaker 1: And sometimes both, 52 00:03:28,128 --> 00:03:30,588 Speaker 1: we have a government more interested in winning elections than 53 00:03:30,588 --> 00:03:32,048 Speaker 1: improving our great nation. 54 00:03:33,028 --> 00:03:36,738 Speaker 1: We have a government that seeks power without purpose. We 55 00:03:36,738 --> 00:03:39,048 Speaker 1: are frustrated about climate inaction. 56 00:03:40,128 --> 00:03:42,448 Speaker 1: We're frustrated about corruption in politics 57 00:03:42,828 --> 00:03:46,168 Speaker 1: and we are frustrated about the treatment and safety of women, 58 00:03:47,128 --> 00:03:49,498 Speaker 1: I wish it were possible for great candidates like Zoe 59 00:03:49,498 --> 00:03:53,778 Speaker 1: Daniel Dr Monique Ryan, Allegra spender Kylie Tink Dr Sophie 60 00:03:53,778 --> 00:03:54,278 Speaker 1: Scamps 61 00:03:55,228 --> 00:03:59,048 Speaker 1: to get elected with evidence based policy and people power 62 00:03:59,048 --> 00:04:01,738 Speaker 1: alone as democracy should be. 63 00:04:02,728 --> 00:04:05,948 Speaker 1: But if an Independent citizen is brave enough to stand 64 00:04:05,948 --> 00:04:09,158 Speaker 1: up against the party machines, even if they can raise 65 00:04:09,158 --> 00:04:12,308 Speaker 1: a million dollars, they're very likely to be outspent 2 66 00:04:12,308 --> 00:04:14,908 Speaker 1: to 1. As Zali Steggall was in 2019. 67 00:04:16,728 --> 00:04:18,648 Speaker 1: The political parties are Goliaths 68 00:04:19,528 --> 00:04:20,638 Speaker 1: and they have rigged the game. 69 00:04:21,128 --> 00:04:24,938 Speaker 1: That's Mr Holmes a Court speaking to the National Press Club 70 00:04:24,938 --> 00:04:26,138 Speaker 1: back in February. 71 00:04:26,628 --> 00:04:29,328 Speaker 1: But while they may now have the funds to play 72 00:04:29,328 --> 00:04:33,648 Speaker 1: in the big leagues, one thing tougher to overcome is perception. 73 00:04:34,128 --> 00:04:36,988 Speaker 1: We've been told that a vote for an Independent is 74 00:04:36,988 --> 00:04:40,158 Speaker 1: a wasted one. That unless you back a major party, 75 00:04:40,168 --> 00:04:42,768 Speaker 1: your vote will not amount to any real change in 76 00:04:42,768 --> 00:04:47,238 Speaker 1: parliament because they don't hold the power. Jane Hume is 77 00:04:47,238 --> 00:04:51,988 Speaker 1: Senator for Victoria, Minister for superannuation, financial services and the 78 00:04:51,988 --> 00:04:55,788 Speaker 1: digital economy and Minister for Women's Economic Security for the 79 00:04:55,788 --> 00:04:57,248 Speaker 1: Liberal Party of Australia 80 00:04:57,628 --> 00:04:59,968 Speaker 1: Jane, what do you say to the statement that a 81 00:04:59,968 --> 00:05:02,778 Speaker 1: vote for an Independent is a wasted one? Do you 82 00:05:02,778 --> 00:05:03,348 Speaker 1: agree 83 00:05:03,728 --> 00:05:08,048 Speaker 2: Decisions get made by political parties and anybody that thinks 84 00:05:08,048 --> 00:05:10,568 Speaker 2: that they can make decisions on their own is kidding 85 00:05:10,568 --> 00:05:14,518 Speaker 2: themselves and it's an extraordinary level of hubris to suggest 86 00:05:14,518 --> 00:05:19,548 Speaker 2: that you know what's best for everybody. A political party represents 87 00:05:19,558 --> 00:05:23,258 Speaker 2: lots of people from different parts of the country. A 88 00:05:23,258 --> 00:05:25,738 Speaker 2: decision made in one part of the country might not 89 00:05:25,748 --> 00:05:28,348 Speaker 2: be beneficial to people in another part of the country 90 00:05:28,578 --> 00:05:32,058 Speaker 2: And that's what political parties do. They sift through opinions 91 00:05:32,058 --> 00:05:35,638 Speaker 2: and ideas, benefits and gains for some and losses for 92 00:05:35,648 --> 00:05:39,408 Speaker 2: others and come up with the right solution for the majority. 93 00:05:39,418 --> 00:05:44,058 Speaker 2: Whereas an independent can't do that. More importantly, an independent 94 00:05:44,058 --> 00:05:47,538 Speaker 2: can't actually introduce legislation unless the 95 00:05:47,628 --> 00:05:49,638 Speaker 2: government gives them the opportunity 96 00:05:49,728 --> 00:05:50,648 Speaker 2: to do so. 97 00:05:51,028 --> 00:05:53,368 Speaker 2: So they can't come up with policies that are then 98 00:05:53,368 --> 00:05:54,348 Speaker 2: pursued 99 00:05:54,728 --> 00:05:58,058 Speaker 2: by the majority of the parliament. Only the government can 100 00:05:58,058 --> 00:06:01,558 Speaker 2: come up with policies and only the government can make decisions. 101 00:06:01,568 --> 00:06:02,028 Speaker 2: What 102 00:06:02,028 --> 00:06:05,938 Speaker 1: about the idea of voting along party lines? That even if, say, 103 00:06:05,948 --> 00:06:11,458 Speaker 1: maybe your constituents don't agree with your government's particular stance 104 00:06:11,458 --> 00:06:12,128 Speaker 1: on something 105 00:06:12,428 --> 00:06:14,978 Speaker 1: or that maybe even you yourself don't fully agree on 106 00:06:14,978 --> 00:06:17,488 Speaker 1: your government's own stance on a particular issue. 107 00:06:17,628 --> 00:06:20,568 Speaker 1: But you do have to vote along party lines. Independents 108 00:06:20,568 --> 00:06:23,098 Speaker 1: say that they don't have that pressure. Would you say 109 00:06:23,098 --> 00:06:24,248 Speaker 1: that that is an issue? 110 00:06:24,828 --> 00:06:27,418 Speaker 2: There are always decisions that have to be made that are 111 00:06:27,418 --> 00:06:32,738 Speaker 2: difficult in politics. And sometimes your government, your party makes 112 00:06:32,738 --> 00:06:35,148 Speaker 2: a decision that you might not personally agree with. 113 00:06:35,528 --> 00:06:38,948 Speaker 2: But there are two elements to that, one is that 114 00:06:38,958 --> 00:06:41,748 Speaker 2: if you don't agree with your party's position, you can 115 00:06:41,758 --> 00:06:45,138 Speaker 2: argue that out in the party room with your colleagues, 116 00:06:45,148 --> 00:06:48,578 Speaker 2: You can test your ideas in an environment where people 117 00:06:48,578 --> 00:06:50,548 Speaker 2: won't agree with you, but they're your friends that won't 118 00:06:50,548 --> 00:06:53,798 Speaker 2: agree with you. That's what politics is really all about persuasion 119 00:06:53,798 --> 00:06:55,238 Speaker 2: the power to persuade. 120 00:06:55,528 --> 00:06:57,688 Speaker 2: So you can be persuaded one way or the other 121 00:06:57,688 --> 00:07:00,348 Speaker 2: or you can persuade your colleagues and your party, 122 00:07:00,928 --> 00:07:05,198 Speaker 2: But the other thing is again, not any one person 123 00:07:05,198 --> 00:07:06,538 Speaker 2: has the right idea 124 00:07:06,928 --> 00:07:09,878 Speaker 2: all the time. And I think it's really important that 125 00:07:09,878 --> 00:07:13,188 Speaker 2: you listen to other people's ideas and understand how your 126 00:07:13,188 --> 00:07:16,568 Speaker 2: ideas affect people at the other end of the country. Now, 127 00:07:16,568 --> 00:07:18,348 Speaker 2: if you're representing your constituents, 128 00:07:18,728 --> 00:07:21,608 Speaker 2: sometimes that can be really difficult because your constituents want 129 00:07:21,608 --> 00:07:25,228 Speaker 2: one thing, other people want another in the Liberal Party, certainly, 130 00:07:25,228 --> 00:07:28,108 Speaker 2: and in the coalition we have a principle that allows 131 00:07:28,108 --> 00:07:31,398 Speaker 2: us to cross the floor if we don't agree with 132 00:07:31,398 --> 00:07:33,538 Speaker 2: our party on the basis of principle. Now, it's a 133 00:07:33,538 --> 00:07:35,138 Speaker 2: big deal to cross the floor 134 00:07:35,628 --> 00:07:39,638 Speaker 2: because going against your party is a difficult thing to do. 135 00:07:39,638 --> 00:07:42,938 Speaker 2: These are people that share the same ideals and principles 136 00:07:42,948 --> 00:07:45,518 Speaker 2: as do you. If you have a particular issue that 137 00:07:45,518 --> 00:07:48,238 Speaker 2: you are passionate about and you feel you cannot vote 138 00:07:48,238 --> 00:07:51,948 Speaker 2: for it, you can cross the floor, whereas 139 00:07:52,128 --> 00:07:54,348 Speaker 2: other parties don't allow you to do that. Certainly the 140 00:07:54,348 --> 00:07:55,948 Speaker 2: Labor Party doesn't want you to do that, you get 141 00:07:55,948 --> 00:07:56,538 Speaker 2: expelled 142 00:07:56,828 --> 00:07:59,438 Speaker 1: Senator. What about when you said that politics is about 143 00:07:59,438 --> 00:08:01,568 Speaker 1: the power of persuasion, but we know that when people 144 00:08:01,568 --> 00:08:03,958 Speaker 1: are trying to persuade each other, it doesn't always go 145 00:08:03,968 --> 00:08:06,968 Speaker 1: well or nicely. And both major parties have been accused 146 00:08:06,968 --> 00:08:10,278 Speaker 1: of bullying within their own ranks, how do we keep 147 00:08:10,278 --> 00:08:12,218 Speaker 1: on top of that kind of thing? When someone who 148 00:08:12,218 --> 00:08:14,648 Speaker 1: is maybe in a little bit more of a powerful position, 149 00:08:14,728 --> 00:08:17,618 Speaker 1: tries to influence somebody else who maybe isn't as powerful 150 00:08:17,618 --> 00:08:19,898 Speaker 1: and it does step over that line. How do we 151 00:08:20,228 --> 00:08:22,358 Speaker 1: keep that in line in amongst major parties 152 00:08:22,508 --> 00:08:24,928 Speaker 2: In politics there will always be some things that you 153 00:08:24,928 --> 00:08:27,688 Speaker 2: win and some things that you lose, that's just the 154 00:08:27,688 --> 00:08:30,398 Speaker 2: nature of a democratic process and it's something that we 155 00:08:30,398 --> 00:08:31,158 Speaker 2: should value. 156 00:08:32,028 --> 00:08:36,068 Speaker 2: There are occasions where the conversations get robust certainly, is 157 00:08:36,068 --> 00:08:39,128 Speaker 2: it bullying? No, it really isn't. When we're talking about 158 00:08:39,138 --> 00:08:42,278 Speaker 2: issues and policies, that's politics, that's what we're here to 159 00:08:42,278 --> 00:08:42,738 Speaker 2: do 160 00:08:43,228 --> 00:08:46,318 Speaker 2: now, Independents can safely say, well, that doesn't happen to me, 161 00:08:46,318 --> 00:08:48,918 Speaker 2: but that's because they haven't got a team that tests 162 00:08:48,918 --> 00:08:53,298 Speaker 2: their ideas. That's what political parties do there, like a 163 00:08:53,298 --> 00:08:57,328 Speaker 2: filter for political ideas and only the correct ones or 164 00:08:57,328 --> 00:08:59,748 Speaker 2: the better ones, rise to the top 165 00:09:00,128 --> 00:09:04,308 Speaker 1: One of the Independents being backed by climate 200 is 166 00:09:04,308 --> 00:09:08,758 Speaker 1: Allegra spender, the daughter of fashion designer Carla Zampatti and former 167 00:09:08,758 --> 00:09:12,758 Speaker 1: Liberal MP John spender, she is contesting the seat of Wentworth, 168 00:09:12,758 --> 00:09:16,258 Speaker 1: currently held by Dave Sharma. The seat was held by 169 00:09:16,258 --> 00:09:20,548 Speaker 1: former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ahead of his resignation in 2018, 170 00:09:20,628 --> 00:09:23,578 Speaker 1: which triggered a by election that was won by Independent 171 00:09:23,578 --> 00:09:27,188 Speaker 1: Doctor Kerryn Phelps. Dave Sharma then reclaimed it for the 172 00:09:27,188 --> 00:09:31,608 Speaker 1: Liberal Party at the 2019 election. Allegra, we heard from 173 00:09:31,608 --> 00:09:35,328 Speaker 1: Senator Hume that running as an Independent takes some ego 174 00:09:35,328 --> 00:09:38,318 Speaker 1: to think that you alone have all the answers. How 175 00:09:38,318 --> 00:09:39,548 Speaker 1: do you respond to that? 176 00:09:39,628 --> 00:09:42,808 Speaker 1: Look, I think for me, Independence is about representing your 177 00:09:42,808 --> 00:09:45,788 Speaker 1: community rather than your party, and that's what I'm really 178 00:09:45,788 --> 00:09:48,478 Speaker 1: seeking to do. I look at the community. I'm standing 179 00:09:48,478 --> 00:09:50,618 Speaker 1: as an Independent and Wentworth, it is one of the 180 00:09:50,618 --> 00:09:53,948 Speaker 1: most socially progressive seats, electorates in the country. It is 181 00:09:53,958 --> 00:09:57,808 Speaker 1: very environmentally focused and it's also very business focused. What 182 00:09:57,808 --> 00:10:00,858 Speaker 1: I'm seeking to do is actually represent the community values 183 00:10:00,868 --> 00:10:03,898 Speaker 1: and the community perspective. So, that's the real difference I think, 184 00:10:03,898 --> 00:10:06,648 Speaker 1: versus trying to represent a party's perspective, 185 00:10:06,728 --> 00:10:08,888 Speaker 1: I'm not standing for this, so I can get a 186 00:10:08,888 --> 00:10:11,618 Speaker 1: bigger job and be a minister or anything like that. 187 00:10:11,618 --> 00:10:14,868 Speaker 1: I'm standing because I want to represent the community. So, 188 00:10:14,868 --> 00:10:16,948 Speaker 1: I think that's some of the real difference, I think, 189 00:10:17,028 --> 00:10:19,138 Speaker 1: versus some people who are really in the party and 190 00:10:19,138 --> 00:10:20,748 Speaker 1: really looking for their own futures. 191 00:10:21,228 --> 00:10:23,888 Speaker 1: What about the fact that as an Independents, you can't 192 00:10:23,898 --> 00:10:28,228 Speaker 1: introduce legislation without the okay, from the government of the moment, 193 00:10:28,518 --> 00:10:32,238 Speaker 1: does it feel like Independents are a little bit toothless 194 00:10:32,328 --> 00:10:35,038 Speaker 1: in that way? Let's just look at the last parliament, 195 00:10:35,048 --> 00:10:37,708 Speaker 1: Zali Steggall has put together a climate bill that has the 196 00:10:37,708 --> 00:10:42,698 Speaker 1: support of the Business Council of Australia, the community members, 197 00:10:42,698 --> 00:10:46,878 Speaker 1: she has put something together that would depoliticise climate change 198 00:10:46,888 --> 00:10:49,228 Speaker 1: as an issue and actually be good for the country 199 00:10:49,228 --> 00:10:52,168 Speaker 1: and the community really supports that. I think that's a huge 200 00:10:52,168 --> 00:10:54,968 Speaker 1: achievement and she's put that forward. And so you look 201 00:10:54,968 --> 00:10:57,818 Speaker 1: at Helen Haines has put forward a federal integrity bill 202 00:10:57,858 --> 00:11:01,608 Speaker 1: that again, has wide support across the judiciary and legal experts. 203 00:11:01,828 --> 00:11:05,288 Speaker 1: These people are putting together as Independents, they're putting together 204 00:11:05,288 --> 00:11:08,688 Speaker 1: really valuable legislation and are very close to getting that 205 00:11:08,688 --> 00:11:11,628 Speaker 1: debated and passed. You look at Kerryn Phelps, for example, 206 00:11:11,628 --> 00:11:15,018 Speaker 1: who was an Independent in Wentworth before she put together 207 00:11:15,018 --> 00:11:18,698 Speaker 1: the Medivac bill that got critically ill asylum seekers and refugees 208 00:11:18,708 --> 00:11:19,548 Speaker 1: off Nauru, 209 00:11:19,728 --> 00:11:22,948 Speaker 1: that's as an Independent. She made that enormous difference to 210 00:11:22,948 --> 00:11:24,198 Speaker 1: those people's lives. 211 00:11:24,328 --> 00:11:26,278 Speaker 1: And so what I think that Independents can do is 212 00:11:26,278 --> 00:11:29,638 Speaker 1: they can actually put forward bills and legislation that the 213 00:11:29,638 --> 00:11:32,778 Speaker 1: community backs at the same time. They put pressure on 214 00:11:32,778 --> 00:11:35,208 Speaker 1: the government of the day and the opposition of the 215 00:11:35,208 --> 00:11:38,278 Speaker 1: day to deal with issues that the community really cares about, 216 00:11:38,288 --> 00:11:41,708 Speaker 1: like climate and like integrity. And so that's the difference. 217 00:11:41,708 --> 00:11:43,948 Speaker 1: I think that Independents do, they can put 218 00:11:44,028 --> 00:11:48,038 Speaker 1: forward legislation, they can really put pressure on government. And finally, 219 00:11:48,038 --> 00:11:49,908 Speaker 1: they can vote on what are the issues of our 220 00:11:49,908 --> 00:11:52,478 Speaker 1: most important to their community. And you compare that with 221 00:11:52,478 --> 00:11:55,508 Speaker 1: a back bencher in the Liberal Party or the Labor Party, 222 00:11:55,508 --> 00:11:58,468 Speaker 1: who basically has to follow the party line regardless of 223 00:11:58,468 --> 00:12:00,768 Speaker 1: what they personally might think or what their community might 224 00:12:00,778 --> 00:12:03,708 Speaker 1: think they're the ones who are truly toothless and don't put 225 00:12:03,708 --> 00:12:06,518 Speaker 1: forward the sorts of legislation that I think that these 226 00:12:06,518 --> 00:12:07,448 Speaker 1: Independents have. 227 00:12:07,828 --> 00:12:10,808 Speaker 1: What about this statement that we hear often that if 228 00:12:10,808 --> 00:12:13,588 Speaker 1: we had a lot of Independents in parliament or if 229 00:12:13,588 --> 00:12:17,198 Speaker 1: we have a hung parliament where minority government has to be 230 00:12:17,198 --> 00:12:18,838 Speaker 1: created by whoever has 231 00:12:19,228 --> 00:12:22,118 Speaker 1: those amount of seats that can make it happen, that 232 00:12:22,118 --> 00:12:26,428 Speaker 1: then nothing gets through. That legislation gets held up because 233 00:12:26,468 --> 00:12:28,868 Speaker 1: of all the different voices who need to be brought 234 00:12:28,868 --> 00:12:29,498 Speaker 1: in to vote on 235 00:12:29,498 --> 00:12:29,748 Speaker 2: it. 236 00:12:30,428 --> 00:12:32,208 Speaker 1: Look, I would say that, you know, Australia has a 237 00:12:32,208 --> 00:12:35,438 Speaker 1: strong tradition of having minority government and gets a lot done. 238 00:12:35,528 --> 00:12:39,038 Speaker 1: In New south Wales there's currently in minority government, that 239 00:12:39,038 --> 00:12:41,998 Speaker 1: parliament is still moving absolutely forward. You know, the senate has 240 00:12:41,998 --> 00:12:44,518 Speaker 1: not been held by one either party for a long 241 00:12:44,518 --> 00:12:47,118 Speaker 1: time and still we get a lot of legislation done. And, 242 00:12:47,228 --> 00:12:50,438 Speaker 1: you know, whether you support Julia Gillard's policy areas or 243 00:12:50,438 --> 00:12:53,648 Speaker 1: you didn't that time of our most recent minority government 244 00:12:53,648 --> 00:12:56,738 Speaker 1: where Julia Gillard was in power from a legislation point 245 00:12:56,738 --> 00:12:58,778 Speaker 1: of view was there was a vast amount of legislation 246 00:12:58,778 --> 00:13:01,198 Speaker 1: actually passed during that government. So I think that the 247 00:13:01,198 --> 00:13:03,958 Speaker 1: point is, if you've got Independents who are trying to 248 00:13:03,958 --> 00:13:06,848 Speaker 1: make things better and that's honestly why I'm standing, I've 249 00:13:06,848 --> 00:13:10,408 Speaker 1: spent the last 12 years running businesses and what gives 250 00:13:10,408 --> 00:13:13,258 Speaker 1: me Joy is trying to make things better. And so 251 00:13:13,258 --> 00:13:15,098 Speaker 1: I'm there to make things better and I'm a real 252 00:13:15,098 --> 00:13:17,978 Speaker 1: builder and the listener. And so I will work very 253 00:13:17,978 --> 00:13:22,108 Speaker 1: constructively and very pragmatically with whichever government's in power to 254 00:13:22,108 --> 00:13:24,538 Speaker 1: get outcomes out of best of the Australian people, but 255 00:13:24,538 --> 00:13:27,758 Speaker 1: really represent the true values of our community, not just 256 00:13:27,758 --> 00:13:29,848 Speaker 1: the interests of the party in power. 257 00:13:30,128 --> 00:13:33,838 Speaker 1: Allegra is correct in saying Julia Gillard's government was a 258 00:13:33,838 --> 00:13:38,498 Speaker 1: successful one from a legislation perspective, despite being a minority government, 259 00:13:38,498 --> 00:13:41,458 Speaker 1: relying on the cross bench for support, when you consider 260 00:13:41,458 --> 00:13:44,398 Speaker 1: the length of time she was in power, her government 261 00:13:44,398 --> 00:13:49,068 Speaker 1: has the highest rate of passing legislation in Australian parliamentary history, 262 00:13:49,078 --> 00:13:52,948 Speaker 1: Bob Hawke came in second place. And with the successful 263 00:13:52,948 --> 00:13:56,538 Speaker 1: legislation moved by Independents in recent years, we can see 264 00:13:56,538 --> 00:14:00,338 Speaker 1: that the age old Independent is a wasted vote isn't 265 00:14:00,338 --> 00:14:04,938 Speaker 1: really true. The choice, as always, is now in your hands, 266 00:14:05,048 --> 00:14:09,048 Speaker 1: you just have to decide who most supports your political ethos, 267 00:14:09,178 --> 00:14:12,698 Speaker 1: major party or not. And if you have any more 268 00:14:12,698 --> 00:14:15,248 Speaker 1: election related questions that you want us to look into, 269 00:14:15,328 --> 00:14:18,848 Speaker 1: please email us the quickie at Mamamia dot com dot au. 270 00:14:18,858 --> 00:14:22,798 Speaker 1: Or hit us up on social media instagram, facebook or twitter. 271 00:14:23,188 --> 00:14:26,638 Speaker 1: This episode was produced by myself Claire Murphy and our 272 00:14:26,638 --> 00:14:31,138 Speaker 1: executive producer, Siobhan Moran Macfarlane with audio production by Jacob Round.