Community-based candidates an election winner

As counting for the Federal election concludes, Labor will be able to form government, securing 77 seats.  

Many factors have been noted that have contributed to the election result including climate change; women; young people; trust and character; integrity; cost of living; desire for change; politicisation of the pandemic. I think the oft quoted “the people have spoken” is well placed here but what are the key learnings that we can take into the State election? 

People value community-based candidates with strong community presence. Candidates that emerge from their communities and were responsive to their communities, were very successful – it was key to the success of the “teal’ independents. With the suggestion that locally based community campaigning (years in the making) was a significant factor in the surprising success of The Greens’ win of the inner Brisbane seats. 

The forces at play that led to the Federal election results echoed the results from the NSW “Super Saturday” by-elections. 

The trend of dissatisfaction with the two-party political system is gaining momentum – a trend that started long before this election. With the number of minor party and Independent MPs in the next Parliament set to double from seven to at least 15.  

An important factor in the movement away from the two-party system, is the dissatisfaction with the combative and partisan nature of politics.  

While there are key differences between the federal and NSW Coalition governments, the common feature is that people are open to changing the government and people are searching to elect candidates and a government that is responsive to their communities.  

(image source: Rose Lamond on Unsplash)