Independents Gain Ground Despite Key Losses, Says Re-elected MP Allegra Spender
Community Independent Movement Sees Record Support Despite Close Races in Former Liberal Strongholds
In a political landscape still being shaped by ongoing vote counts, Independent MP Allegra Spender has declared the community independent movement the "fastest growing political movement in the country" despite potential losses in key seats.
Synopsis: Re-elected Wentworth MP Allegra Spender reflects on the growing independent movement's performance in the recent federal election, highlighting record support despite potential losses in former Liberal strongholds.
Key Takeaways:
Over one million Australians gave their first preference to independent candidates
The Liberal Party faces challenges connecting with urban voters due to policy gaps
Tax reform and productivity remain critical issues for the incoming Parliament
In an interview with ABC's Afternoon Briefing, Spender noted that "over a million Australians give their first preference to an independent, which makes it the fastest growing movement really in the country, political movement in the country."
While seats like Goldstein and Bradfield remain too close to call, Spender remained optimistic about the overall performance of independents. "I think that overall independents have done really well in this election, both those who've been elected, those who, where it is still too close to call, and even those who've just run a really good race," Spender said.
When asked about the Liberal Party's struggles with urban voters, Spender pointed to "a lack of compelling policies that meet the needs of the community" and "a sort of constant coming back to culture wars rather than actually putting compelling policies that would make a difference to the community."
Major corporations including business leaders in Wentworth's affluent district have shown increasing support for independents who prioritize climate action and economic reform. Spender specifically highlighted the negative campaigning against her, noting she saw more attack materials than policy promotions from her opponents.
On the critical issue of tax reform, Spender encouraged both major parties to address bracket creep, stating that politicians are "just increasing people's tax by stealth by bracket creep," which she called "extremely unfair for young people."
Looking ahead to Labor's substantial majority, Spender urged the government to be "more ambitious" on productivity reform, environmental protection, and tax policy. "The coalition was right to say people's living standards have gone backwards over the last three to five years. It's just the coalition didn't have an answer to that," she noted.
As Parliament prepares to reconvene with what could be a 90-seat Labor majority, the question remains: Will the government leverage its mandate to pursue more ambitious reforms? What do you think should be the top priority for the new Parliament?
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