An activist crossbench?

May 6, 2025

It was certainly an uninspiring campaign. But why has Jack Waterford not complained about that which will stop the crossbench being the “activist crossbench [which] can supply the pressure to do more, better” that he would like?

I refer, of course, to the dishonesty that has been used by the Liberals and their associated entities to peg back Community Independents. Policies, you can discuss. But it’s all too true that mud sticks. Nearly 40 Community Independents stood in 2025.

As I write, some “old” Community Independents have been returned, others wait on a knife edge. We will have far fewer, if any, new Community Independent MPs, than could reasonably, statistically, have been expected. Cowper and Wannon should have got over the line, as should Bradfield, but who knows right now.

If candidates are defeated in an honest contest of ideas, it’s disappointing, but you can wear it. But to be defeated by smears and lies damages both the person and the nation.

Between now and 2028, we must fight to rid our system of that which is negative and destructive. We should all get behind Zali Steggall and her “Stop the Lies” bill. Dishonesty offers no hope, and no potential except to take us backwards.