As you've hopefully seen, we have started releasing shared policy commitments based on what we’re hearing our community wants combined with expert advice on how best to deliver that.
For us, the policy development process is very much an ongoing one. We’re all updating our views based on what we’re hearing on doorsteps, at our local shopping centres, and in stakeholder meetings.
And we want to hear from you!
In this vein, Sara and I are hosting a series of issue-specific community forums in our electorate that are open to people from all across the ACT, and we’d love to have you along to be part of the conversation.
Upcoming Community Forums
Wednesday 21 August: Healthcare & Mental Health
Thursday 29 August: Community Sport
Wednesday 4 September: Small Business
Thursday 12 September: Education
Wednesday 18 September: The Arts
You can find more information about each of these events, learn about the fantastic guest speakers we have locked in (more to be confirmed soon), and RSVP here. Please do RSVP!
Please consider sharing relevant forums with anyone you know who’s interested in the topic. We really want to hear from as many people as possible about what’s going wrong, what’s going right, and how we can work together to create more of the Canberra want.
Recent Media
We’re starting to receive more media attention now that we’re talking about policy. Some links below:
Independents group offers a ‘new kind of politics’ – CityNews
“Under the leadership and guidance of Thomas Emerson, the Independents for Canberra are merging as a serious force in the upcoming election,” writes political columnist Michael Moore. READ HERE
ACT community organisations at risk: Campaign for urgent funding – Canberra Daily
Some of Canberra’s community organisations could close within the next year, unless the ACT Government provides more funding to the struggling sector; without funding for community services, the consequences could be catastrophic… READ HERE
Independents for Canberra to seek funds to cut housing wait times – Canberra Times
Independents for Canberra want to see a dramatic reduction in the public housing waiting list and have committed to using any leverage in the Legislative Assembly to secure significant funding increases for the sector… READ HERE
Independents for Canberra commit to end homelessness crisis – Canberra Daily
Determined to tackle the ACT’s social housing and homelessness crises, Independents for Canberra MLAs say that if they hold the balance of power after this October’s ACT Election, they would create a social housing… READ HERE
Independents for Canberra pledge big spend on public housing – Riotact
The Independents for Canberra group is promising to force action on public housing waiting lists and homelessness if their MLAs hold the balance of power in the new Legislative Assembly after the 19 October… READ HERE
Independents complain about ‘misleading and inaccurate’ Labor ad – Canberra Times
Independent candidates have complained to Elections ACT over a Facebook post from ACT Labor suggesting independents want a review that would put walk-in centres at risk... READ HERE
How the independent are coming to the party – CityNews
“There are some interesting independent groups running in 2024 that seem to be pulling together decent campaigns, despite how hard it is for them to be elected,” writes political columnist Andrew Hughes. READ HERE
All recent written media features are listed here.
Thank you for supporting the independent movement.
It’s time for change!
Tom
Thomas Emerson