STATEMENT FROM THOMAS EMERSON, LEADER OF INDEPENDENTS FOR CANBERRA
For the first time in 26 years, Territorians have elected independents to the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The weekend’s election results show a strong swing toward independents, and away from the major parties, across the ACT. The total primary vote for independents at close of counting on Saturday evening was higher than the total primary vote for the ACT Greens – a testament to the efforts of independent candidates and their supporters in every electorate.
Independents for Canberra is a new political force that formed in early 2024, making a commitment to a different kind of politics focused on driving positive change at a grassroots level. 20 passionate locals from different walks of life, mostly without political backgrounds, joined the movement as candidates. These people were strangers to each other just nine months ago, brought together by a set of core ideals and principles grounded in a community-oriented approach to politics.
Many people said that a party of independents could not work. This result shows that it can. We have also discovered, I believe, that working together while retaining full freedom to express our own authentic voices might be just what people want from politics.
This result provides a strong foundation to build upon over the next four years. The community connections of my fellow Independents for Canberra candidates, and the thousands of conversations we had collectively during our campaign, provided us with a clear sense of how we can make the nation's capital a more sustainable, vibrant, healthy city in which to grow up, study, work and retire.
On behalf of Independents for Canberra, I would like to congratulate Fiona Carrick for her success as an independent in the seat of Murrumbidgee. Ms Carrick ran a strong campaign and has mobilised a huge amount of support in her community over a long period of time. Congratulations, too, to Andrew Barr, Elizabeth Lee and Shane Rattenbury for the campaigns they led and the respect they showed toward us as a new political entity.
I hoped to see Independents for Canberra candidates get across the line in every electorate, and I am shattered for those who did not, despite their immense efforts and commitment. I am honoured by the positive result we have seen in Kurrajong. We will continue to watch the count in Yerrabi, hoping that David Pollard secures the seat I believe he deserves.
People are at their best when they come together to form communities based on trust and mutual respect. Our election night party at Dickson Taphouse was an instance of exactly that, with community members coming together to celebrate a remarkable campaign in a room full of volunteers, supporters and candidates.
Our campaign would not have been possible without the dedication and resilience of 170 fantastic volunteers and all of our families. I want to thank them all profusely for their persistence, patience and support.
I would like to thank the people across our community who voted independent. I will spend the next four years working hard for those who have put their faith in this movement, and for all Canberrans who want to see positive change.
END STATEMENT