Voices of Farrer has this week launched a media campaign to specifically recruit a candidate unaffiliated with any of the major parties.
Seeking to emulate the success of Cathy McGowan and Helen Haines over the Murray in Indi, Voices of Farrer will endorse an independent to stand at the next federal election, expected in the first half of 2025.
The chosen candidate will stand against incumbent Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, who has already been pre-selected as the Liberal Party candidate for the next election.
Ms Ley has been Member for Farrer since 2001.
Voices of Farrer is a grassroots community group which was formed in 2022.
It has undertaken community consultation over the past year, which president Cate Melville says has allowed them to meet with hundreds of Farrer constituents spanning the electorate.
“Over recent months, we have travelled Farrer, speaking with our communities about the kind of representation they would like to see in Canberra,” she said.
“The message was clear: Farrer wants a values-driven, community selected independent candidate at the next federal election - that’s why we have launched our expression of interest campaign.
“While listening to our community, integrity, openness, respect, empathy and passion were all key attributes people in Farrer are looking for in their representative.
“We've consistently heard from Farrer residents across the full political spectrum that we've been too safe for too long and that Farrer communities feel that we need a change in representation.
“In this Parliament, a record number of Independents in both houses have made a significant difference and been strong voices for their communities, cutting through the politics.”
Voices of Farrer working group member Sharon Potocnik said people around the electorate have said that they want a candidate that puts the interests and priorities of their community first, “without any party allegiance or donor influence”.
“The selection process has been guided by the input we have received from the Voices of Farrer community through our listening events and surveys,” she said.
“We respect the confidentiality of our candidates and will be conducting a community-centred selection process.
“It’s natural for those tempted to put their name forward to hesitate and have questions. We would expect nothing less, because it’s a big decision.
“We welcome anyone considering representing Farrer as an independent to express their interest after which we will commence confidential discussions.”
For more information on the nomination process and timeline, go to https://www.voicesoffarrer.org.au/candidate_eoi.
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