Voices for Forrest testing region’s appetite for an independent candidate

A South West community group is dipping its toes into the political scene by inviting an independent MP to Bunbury to discuss grassroots community election campaigns.

The Voices For Forrest is an informal organisation operating within the electorate of Forrest wanting to test the community’s appetite for an independent candidate at Federal elections.

As part of this movement the Voices For Forrest are hosting an information session with Independent Curtin MHR Kate Chaney at Edith Cowan University Bunbury on March 2 at 11am.

Ms Chaney said she thinks it is exciting to see the community take a more proactive role in their democracy.

“I will be talking about the grassroots community election campaign that we ran here in Curtin ahead of the 2022 Federal election, and how I’m doing politics differently, with greater community involvement, as an Independent Member of Parliament,” Ms Chaney said.

Voices For Forrest spokesperson Dr Sue Chapman said the group was formed on the back of other independent movements at the last election, such as Ms Chaney’s.

“We’re building a community movement to improve the engagement with democracy,” she said.

“If out of that community movement, there is a push or pressure to select an independent candidate who might want to run, we have the structure and volunteers who could assist in that election campaign.”

Dr Chapman said the group has no plans to do anything at a State level, but this is an opportunity to develop a community network that can engage more with democracy.

Ms Chaney said, “More political competition is good for parliament and good for communities.”

“Different communities will care about different issues, but this is how a representative democracy should work.”

For more information about the Voices For Forrest or Ms Chaney’s talk, visit the Voices For Forrest website.