Independents for Canberra is today announcing its lead candidates to contest the 2024 ACT Election in the electorates of Kurrajong and Murrumbidgee.

Thomas Emerson and Sara Poguet have been endorsed as lead candidates for Kurrajong.

Thomas Emerson is the owner-operator of Canberra’s first movement studio, Praksis. He has spent the last two years working as an adviser to ACT’s first independent Senator, David Pocock, and has been driving the Independents for Canberra movement. He holds a philosophy degree from the Australian National University and lives in Dickson with his wife and son.

Mr Emerson said new voices were needed in the Assembly and that, following the success and effectiveness of the community independent movement federally, people across his community were calling for independents at the territory level.

“People are tired of politicians who prioritise the party line over the views of the people they’ve been elected to represent,” said Mr Emerson.

“We need MLAs who are there for us and aren’t distracted by internal party politics or political careerism.

“The independent movement is proving that we can do things differently. We don’t have to put up with the things everyone hates about politics.

“We need representatives with a long-term vision for our city who are focused on achieving Canberra’s potential and building a home for thriving communities for generations to come.

“I want my kids to grow in a world-class Canberra that’s leading the nation in areas like health and wellbeing, housing, education, sustainability and innovation.”

Sara Poguet, a proud Canberran resident for over 25 years, is stepping into the political arena for the first time with Independents for Canberra. Originally from Perth as a fashion designer, Ms Poguet is a single mother and local small business owner. At the age of 27, she opened her restaurant in Braddon and was recognised by the Australian Institute of Management as one of the top 30 Australian managers under 30.

Ms Poguet said she wasn’t convinced the current governing parties were acting in the community’s best interests.

“During election campaigns, I’ve noticed the Labor-Greens members roll out grand plans and ambitious commitments that repeatedly fall short,” said Ms Poguet.

“That’s why I’ve joined Independents for Canberra. We will be there to hold the government to account.

“As independents, we aren’t bound by party lines or political games. Instead, our commitment is to make the government accountable for every promise made and every dollar spent.

“Our approach is simple: transparency, action and integrity. Our commitment is to provide real change for Canberra.

“We will fight for a healthcare system that truly meets the needs of all Canberrans, an education system that provides every child with the support and resources they need to succeed, infrastructure that keeps up with our growing community, and more.

“We will listen and do everything we can for the people of Kurrajong not just during the election season, but for the next four years and beyond.”

Paula McGrady and Anne-Louise Dawes have been endorsed as lead candidates for Murrumbidgee.

Paula McGrady is a Goomeri/Bigumbul woman who has called Canberra home for over 20 years and serves as Deputy Chair of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. Her roots in the community run deep, with a life of service in the community sector including in family and domestic violence, sexual abuse, youth justice, homelessness, education, counselling and support.

Ms McGrady said she put her hand up as a candidate because she was tired of seeing the system fail the people who most needed it, and that she was ready to move into politics to create positive change.

“I love people. I love what I do. I want to do more,” Ms McGrady said.

“To feel safe and to live without fear is something we all deserve as a human right. We know we are failing the most vulnerable and marginalised people across our community but nothing ever seems to change. 

“People should feel that what affects them does matter and I will be there making sure that is the case as their representative.

“I know the power of giving a voice to people who don’t have a voice of their own. I know the privilege of being able to advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves.

“We need to come together as a community to eliminate all forms of violence and abuse. That’s been my life’s work and I’ve come to believe that the systemic change we need can only be brought about by those in power.

“I’m looking forward to hitting the campaign trail and speaking with as many people as possible in Murrumbidgee about their world and what is important to them and their family unit.”

Anne-Louise Dawes is a descendant of the Dawes and Franklin families that moved to the Brindabella region before Canberra was formed. As a career bureaucrat, Ms Dawes developed a strong interest in social justice and equality, and a deep working knowledge of both levels of government. She grew up on the north side before moving to Chifley where she raised two children. 

Ms Dawes said she saw in Independents for Canberra something fundamentally different from what she’d experienced elsewhere. 

“A lifetime of supporting Ministers, good and bad, as a senior public servant showed me how much can be achieved if people are honest, authentic and act with integrity. Sadly, these qualities are increasingly rare in politics,” Ms Dawes said.

“Independents for Canberra feels different. Nobody is trying to prove that they’re the smartest person in the room. It’s not about ego. 

“This movement is about getting back to what politics should be – a way for people to have a say in their own future.

“My commitment is to be accessible, approachable and to always start by listening to the views and aspirations of the people of Murrumbidgee.

“I will provide strong, positive support for the ideas that carry us forward and for the solutions that address existing issues.

“I want to see Canberra live up to its potential as the test-bed city, the knowledge city, the city of innovation. The ACT can be a leader, doing democracy in a way that befits a forward-looking capital that has the power to be courageous about change.”

Mr Emerson said he was humbled to have both Ms McGrady and Ms Dawes join the movement, with Ms McGrady choosing to run for the Assembly under the IFC banner rather than pursuing another term on the Elected Body and Ms Dawes opting to join the independent movement after having been courted by other parties.

Independents for Canberra has now announced lead candidates in every electorate. The group will start campaigning tomorrow, Saturday 1 June, with stalls at 18 different locations across the ACT.

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