ABOUT THE NETWORK

Tasmania's recent State Government election has raised community consciousness in regard to the increasingly evident failures of the two party syndrome in Tasmania – in fact Australia. Also, many in the community are becoming increasingly concerned about the ways political party's are failing to take their concerns and aspirations on board and reflect them in policies.

It all become more than concerning when party compliance effectively dumbs down a candidate's potential input and it all become insidious when the policy development process stifle ideas. We are in crisis mode and we cannot tolerate any longer the aspirations of the power hungry who are bereft of ideas to match their aspirations.

Both major parties seemed to have lost their way and the yawning gap between the policies they deliver on, and the policies they espouse after watering them down to match their backer's objectives. All this is becoming a real concern.

Political parties will, and do, promise to do things they know they cannot do, or should not do, if there is a belief that they can amass enough voters to get them across the line and into power by promising the world. We have just seen this in action.

Tasmanian politics needs independent candidates standing for election in every jurisdiction and every constituency – Local, State and Federal Governments.

Against this background there is a growing number of people looking to support independent political candidates and likewise looking to identify people who might wish to stand for election if they had an independent support base to back their candidacy. 

Members of Institute 43 Network have agreed to support the development of a cohort of independent candidates for the upcoming Local Govt elections. Given that 2026 is an election year for Local Government in Tasmania, and there are changes afoot, there is real need to have members who are truly independent and who wish change the way communities are governed.