Independent Women

At the recent Sydney Writers' Festival, I attended a session on the rise of independent candidates in Australian politics. One of the panelists was journalist Margot Saville who followed the so-called 'teal' candidates at the 2022 federal election and wrote a book called The Teal Revolution (2022). I was intrigued to learn more so picked up a copy at the festival.

Australian politics has been dominated by two major parties - Labor and the Coalition (Liberal and National parties) - with both losing ground to parties on the left and right. The Greens are the most established alternative, but Pauline Hanson's One Nation, Clive Palmer's United Australia Party, the Jacqui Lambie Network, Katter's Australian Party and others threaten to disrupt the hold of the two-party system. And then there are the independent candidates who do not align with any party.

I first became interested in the independents during the 2010 federal election when Julia Gillard's minority government secured confidence and supply agreements with the Greens and three independents. That same year, Andrew Wilkie was elected to represent Clark (Tasmania) and a few years later Cathy McGowan (Indi) ousted Sophie Mirabella (a long-term Liberal representative). These independents seemed to be community-minded voices of reason. Helen Haines' election in 2019, following McGowan's retirement, marked the first independently-held seat to retain independence despite the change of candidate. Like her predecessor, Haines has contributed greatly to the Parliament, leading the call for a Federal Independent Commission Against Corruption. In 2019 independent Zali Steggall (Warringah) was victorious over former Prime Minister Tony Abbott on a climate change platform.

The 2022 election was remarkable with six independent female candidates running in apparently safe traditionally Liberal seats. In NSW Allegra Spender ran in Wentworth, Kylea Tink in North Sydney, Dr Sophie Scamps in Mackellar. In Victoria Dr Monique Ryan took on Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong, and Zoe Daniel unseated Tim Wilson in Goldstein. In Western Australia, Kate Chaney ran in Curtin. Each of these women were high achieving professionals who rallied grassroots campaigns on issues of integrity and climate change.

Saville begins by answering the question 'who are the teals?'. Dubbed the teals by the media to reflect 'a mix of blue for conservative liberal economic values, and green for their focus on effective action on climate change' (p1). If the Liberal/National party had been more progressive and less patriarchal, these women would have been prized candidates. These electorates may be affluent, educated and traditionally conservative, but they want action on issues that matter to them and have long been taken for granted. 

Saville details how these grassroots campaigns begun and built momentum, how they were supported by Climate 200 and a groundswell of volunteers, and how they were victorious despite the well-resourced campaign machines of their opponents. Saville follows these campaigns in the lead up to the formal election period, and throughout the intense six weeks to election. In the epilogue she writes about what might happen next. Clearly the Australian electorate wants change and these women have shown how it is possible to achieve success. 

I appreciate the thoroughness of Saville's research, her keen analysis, and the way in which she brought the campaigns to life. I look forward to seeing the impact of these independents in the 47th Parliament of Australia.