Soft power in the bush: are independents the new rural influencers?

Farmers at an anti-coal seam gas forum on the Darling Downs in Queensland. The forum was organised by a former independent candidate for the federal seat of Groom, Suzi Holt. Photograph: Aston Brown/The Guardian

When you move to a country town, it takes a while to learn where the power lies.

There are obvious power structures, such as the council and its councillors or the local member and their political party. In the bush, it is usually a Liberal or a National MP.