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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Lucy Bladen

Independents for Canberra list demands for major parties to secure support

Independents for Canberra would not seek to form part of coalition government if any of its candidates are elected in the upcoming ACT election and would sit on the crossbench instead.

But the party has issued a list of expectations it will want a government to adhere to if its candidates held the balance of power.

The expectations include many of the policies announced by the group over recent months, including the introduction of a Future Generations Act, a commitment to clear 75 per cent of the elective surgery waitlist within a year and an independent inquiry into the ACT's justice system.

It also includes larger blanket promises including a commitment to reconciliation with First Nations communities and to not reverse voluntary assisted dying or abortion access.

The party also wants to ensure the Chief Minister and the Treasury portfolios are not held by the same person.

Both roles are held by Andrew Barr but Independents for Canberra spoke out against this earlier this year saying it threatened the integrity of democracy.

Independents for Canberra also said they would want a governing party to commit to banning political donations from the gambling industry.

"This statement of expectations comes from our community. If Canberrans decide to elect an independent crossbench on October 19, we will do all we can to ensure the next government delivers on these expectations," Independents for Canberra leader Thomas Emerson said.

Independents for Canberra is running 20 candidates across all five electorates. The party was established as an umbrella group for community independents.

The group have pledged to work together on certain commitments and have a series of principles they have agreed to but they can have differing positions on certain policies.

Independents for Canberra leader Thomas Emerson. Picture by Elesa Kurtz

Vanessa Picker, a candidate for Brindabella, has previously said she would not support a government led by Mr Barr. This is not a position shared by the wider group and is not included in the statement of expectations.

Mr Emerson said the statement of expectations put the onus on the major parties to determine what policies and groups they would support if elected.

"Community members are asking who independents might support in government. Today we are asking the major parties who in our community will you support in the next term of government? What standards will you uphold? Which unmet needs will you take action on?," Mr Emerson said.

Mr Emerson said the group had been given a strong sense of what the community wanted over the past nine months during their campaign.

"This extensive engagement has given us a strong sense of what our community wants from our elected representatives," he said.

"People want more accessible and responsive MLAs. They want more accountability, increased transparency and an honest assessment of the challenges we're facing. Above all, people tell us they want real action, not just talk."

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