Woldring, do more homework. Teals aren’t a party
“Teals” started as random strangers across Australia who saw Indi’s success and dared to imagine a more engaged and effective MP representing them.
Community independents weren’t looking for a career in politics. But Liberal disdain for women encouraged, not thwarted, them. While current community independents are mostly women, they have so many male supporters that gender balance will likely arrive eventually.
It’s insulting to suggest community independents and their supporters think primarily only of their own area. Major drivers are climate change, integrity in government and a better deal for women. Hardly local. Kooyong supporters proudly say their MP, Monique Ryan, worked with Bill Shorten to improve the NDIS, is a member of the Select Committee on Nuclear Energy, had significant influence in reducing HECS debts, while “at the same time” being on the front line in Kooyong.
Woldring’s failure of imagination shows when insisting we must have “genuine majority government”. Minority governments worked in the past. The mixed-composition crossbench is the true Opposition in the current parliament, the Liberals’ repetitive “No” contributing nothing.
So why not even more community independents? Individuals pooling ideas, debating them, coming to consensus decisions works elsewhere. Trying it in government couldn’t be worse than what we’ve got.
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