Julia Zemiro | The Independents Podcast

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Kate Chaney, Independent MP for Curtin Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

A lawyer and business leader, Kate secured a stunning victory after a rapid campaign in 2022. She brings significant private sector experience, including senior roles at Wesfarmers and Anglicare WA. Kate chose to run as an Independent to advocate for stronger climate action and political integrity.

In Parliament Kate has championed evidence-based policymaking and long-term thinking, particularly around economic reform, climate action, and integrity in government. She’s been leading the charge on a new bill to make political campaigning more transparent and fair.

https://www.katechaney.com.au

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Helen Haines, Independent MP for Indi Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Dr Helen Haines life has been grounded in community service – as a nurse, midwife, and public health researcher. Helen lives in Wangaratta and was part of the grassroots independent movement that transformed politics in Indi and the nation.

Helen was elected in 2019 as the first independent in Australian history to succeed another independent in a federal seat, continuing Cathy McGowan’s legacy of community-driven representation.

A champion for regional Australia, Dr Haines has secured millions of dollars for local projects. She is committed to action on climate change that benefits regional communities, improving telecommunications, regional housing, clean energy, and a fair share of funding and services for regional Australia.

Dr Haines has been a champion for integrity and transparency in politics, influencing the establishment of the national integrity commission. She is the recipient of the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year and the Alan Missen Award for parliamentary integrity.

https://www.helenhaines.org

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Kate Hook, Independent for Calare Feb 27, 2025

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Kate Hook is a small farmer, who has also helped set up a locally-owned renewable energy co-operative. She has spent the last two years helping communities across NSW advocate for their needs with renewable energy projects. She first ran as an independent in 2022 because she was asked to step up and was overwhelmed by the community’s support – coming second against the National Party incumbent. She’s campaigning again on her values: a community that is connected and thriving, a transition away from fossil fuels, decent funding for essential workers, and more honesty in politics.

https://www.katehook.com.au

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Andrew Wilkie, Independent MP for Clarke Feb 27, 2025

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Andrew Wilkie has been the Independent Member for Clark (previously called Denison) since 2010 and is the longest serving Independent in the Federal Parliament. He has a strong sense of social justice and is a powerful integrity advocate. His flagship issues include climate change, gambling, integrity, animal welfare, asylum seekers and foreign and security policy. Andrew famously blew the whistle over the fraudulent reasons for Australia joining in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and continues to advocate for whistleblower protections and media freedom.

https://andrewwilkie.org

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Nicolette Boele, Independent for Bradfield Feb 27, 2025

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When Nicolette Boele, a finance, clean energy and responsible investment expert, first ran as an independent candidate in 2022, she saw the biggest swing against the Liberal Party of all the community independent candidates. When she led the local campaign to support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in 2023, Bradfield was the only Liberal seat to vote ‘yes.’ Nicolette is running again, and building an even bigger and more energetic movement of community supporters.

https://www.nicoletteboele.com.au

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Alex Dyson, Independent for Wannon Feb 20, 2025

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Broadcaster, author and small business owner Alex Dyson is again running as an independent to get a better deal for his home, south west Victoria. In 2019, with $5,000 and a handful of family and friends supporting him, Alex secured 10% of the vote. Then Voices of Wannon formed, inspired by the community independent movement in Indi in north-east Victoria.

The group endorsed Alex in 2022, with the community campaign securing 46% of the two-candidate-preferred vote, making Wannon marginal for the first time in decades. Now, with a growing people-powered movement, Alex can win.

https://www.alexdysonindependent.com/

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Keryn Jones, Independent for Fisher Feb 20, 2025

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Keryn and her husband pioneered grid-connected solar energy on the Sunshine Coast, transforming their electrical contracting business into a solar success story. Their efforts, in partnership with a local community group, helped the Caloundra postcode lead the country in solar uptake for several years.

Keryn’s hands-on energy doesn’t stop there: she’s been a local councillor, volunteered with food rescue, refugee, environment, and disability groups, and helped farmers rebuild fences after bushfires. She’s led community consultations, chaired the council’s Waste Taskforce and organised large local events.

She’s a director of the Environmental Legacy Foundation, where she continues to champion sustainability and community well-being.

https://www.kerynjones.com.au

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Zali Steggall, Independent MP for Warringah Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

From Olympic bronze medallist in alpine skiing to barrister specialising in commercial and sports law, Zali has built a career marked by determination and principled advocacy. Her path to politics was sparked by frustration with Australia's climate inaction, leading her to take on and defeat former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2019.

In Parliament, Steggall’s landmark Climate Change Bill helped consolidate the national consensus on Net Zero emissions, while she has been instrumental in securing the National Anti-Corruption Commission and championing other political integrity reforms, leading the push for truth in political advertising laws. Through regular forums and close collaboration with the Warringah Community, she continues to champion her electorate's views in parliament by putting forward smart solutions, that will have a positive impact on today’s challenges – from taking climate action and addressing climate risks, to advocating for support with cost of living and reenergising the economy.

https://www.zalisteggall.com.au/

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Sophie Scamps, Independent MP for Mackellar Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Dr Sophie Scamps, a former emergency doctor at Mona Vale Hospital and local GP, turned this safe Liberal seat Independent in 2022.

Before entering politics (and in addition to being a doctor with a Masters from Oxford) Sophie founded Our Blue Dot, a community organisation focused on reducing waste and emissions, and competed internationally as a middle-distance runner.

In Parliament, Sophie has championed environmental protections, the health of Australians and integrity reforms including stopping the controversial PEP11 offshore oil and gas project, moving a private members bill to ensure that gas fracking projects would be assessed under federal environmental law for their impact on water resources, and introduced the Ending Jobs for Mates Bill to stop party-political appointments to important public positions.

https://www.sophiescamps.com.au/

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Zoe Daniel, Independent MP for Goldstein Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Award-winning foreign correspondent Zoe Daniel spent three decades covering global crises for the ABC. Her children convinced her that frustration with politics-as-usual wasn't enough – she had to step up and make change happen. She did exactly that when she flipped the safe Liberal seat independent.

Over the past three years, Zoe has brought deep experience to parliamentary debates on media reforms and foreign policy.

https://zoedaniel.com.au

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