Independents for Canberra

Independents for Canberra
Abbreviation	IND for CBR IFC I4C
Secretary	Leigh Cox
Founders	Thomas Emerson Clare Carnell
Founded	29 January 2024;17 months ago (29 January 2024)
Registered	8 March 2024;16 months ago (8 March 2024)
Dissolved	10 July 2025;0 days ago (10 July 2025) (as a political party)
Ideology	Localism
Political position	Big tent
Slogan	It's time for change. [1]
Website
independentsforcanberra.com
Politics of Australia Political parties Elections

Independents for Canberra (IFC) is an Australian political organisation that supports independent politicians in the Australian Capital Territory. ^[2] It was previously registered as a political party and had one seat in the Legislative Assembly, with leader Thomas Emerson serving as a member for the electorate of Kurrajong. ^[3]

History

Formation

Alternate version of IFC's logo

IFC was established in January 2024 by Thomas Emerson, an advisor to independent senator David Pocock and son of former federal Labor minister Craig Emerson, and Clare Carnell, a former Liberal Party member and the daughter of former Chief Minister Kate Carnell. ^[4] However, Carnell resigned as co-leader on 14 May 2024 due to poor health. ^[5]

On 8 March 2024, the party was officially registered with Elections ACT, in time for the 2024 ACT election. ^[6]

2024 election

ACT Policing acting inspector Mark Richardson was announced as IFC's first lead candidate on 18 May, contesting the electorate of Ginninderra. ^{[7] [8]} Later that month, Emerson and Sara Poguet were announced as the party's lead candidates for Kurrajong. ^{[9] [10]}

David Pollard, who unsuccessfully contested the 2016 and 2020 elections (the latter with his own party known as "David Pollard Independent"), joined IFC as one of two lead candidates in Yerrabi. ^{[11] [12]}

In August, Brindabella IFC candidate Vanessa Picker said she would not support Andrew Barr remaining as chief minister. ^{[13] [14]} The Labor Party subsequently ran an advertisement that claimed voting for IFC or other minor parties could lead to the Liberals forming government. ^{[15] [16]} Emerson later announced that none of IFC's candidates would form part of any coalition government, and would instead sit on the crossbench. ^{[17] [18]}

Deregistration

On 5 February 2025, Emerson resigned from Independents for Canberra. ^[19] The party was subsequently voluntarily deregistered on 10 July 2025. ^{[20] [21]}

Criticism

IFC has been criticised for describing its candidates as independents, including by psephologist Kevin Bonham, who says IFC are "not independents". ^[22] IFC has described itself as a "group of Canberrans supporting community independents", and Emerson says party registration is necessary because of the ACT's Hare–Clark electoral system, which makes it difficult for ungrouped independent candidates to succeed. ^{[23] [24]}

Policies

IFC has a policy platform which was "developed in collaboration with experts and community members". ^[25] Candidates are able to act independently, including if they are elected to parliament. ^[26]

The party has sought to introduce a Future Generations Act, which requires politicians to consider the impact of laws on the next generation, as well as the introduction of a social housing "funding trigger". ^[27]

See also

• Fiona Carrick Independent
• Strong Independents
• Teal independents

References

1. "INDEPENDENTS FOR CANBERRA". independentsforcanberra.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024. It's time for change.
2. Barlow, Karen (28 January 2024). "'To shift the balance': Carnell and Emerson launch ACT independents party" . The Canberra Times . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Community Media. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
3. Bovill, Monte (19 October 2024). "Emerson could become first independent in the ACT assembly in 20 years". ABC News. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
4. Twyford, Lottie (29 January 2024). "Party of community independents to contest ACT election after being inspired by Senator David Pocock's success". ABC News . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
5. Bushnell, Ian (14 May 2024). "Poor health forces departure of Clare Carnell from Independents for Canberra". The Riot ACT. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
6. Lindell, Jasper (9 March 2024). "Independents for Canberra registered as ACT political party" . The Canberra Times . Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Community Media. ProQuest   2942202346. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
7. "Independents for Canberra Announces First Lead Candidate". Independents for Canberra. 18 May 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
8. Bushnell, Ian (21 May 2024). "Police officer who blasted Summernats 'morons' is Independents for Canberra's first lead candidate". Riotact. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
9. "Independents for Canberra Announces Lead Candidates for Kurrajong and Murrumbidgee". Independent Council Candidate Paul Noack. 31 May 2024. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
10. Moore, Michael (14 August 2024). "House throws spanner in the Kurrajong works". Canberra CityNews. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
11. Bushnell, Ian (29 May 2024). "Third-time lucky? Pollard to run with Independents for Canberra in Yerrabi". Riotact. Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
12. "It's time for change – the 2024 ACT Election is here". davidpollard.com.au. 11 July 2024. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
13. "'Andrew Barr must go', says Independent for Canberra". Canberra Daily. 26 August 2024. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
14. Lindell, Jasper (25 August 2024). "Brindabella independent says she will not support a Barr government". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
15. Fuller, Nicholas (30 September 2024). "ACT Labor attacks independents, independents push back". Canberra Daily. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
16. Johnson, Chris (8 October 2024). "It's hard being independently independent in this ACT election". Riotact. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
17. Bladen, Lucy (8 October 2024). "Independents for Canberra list demands for major parties to secure support". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
18. Bushnell, Ian (9 October 2024). "Independents for Canberra prepared to cut deals but won't hold a government to ransom". Riotact. Archived from the original on 10 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
19. "Current Members of the legislative assembly". Elections ACT. Archived from the original on 13 March 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025. Mr Emerson was elected as a candidate for the registered political party, Independents for Canberra. Mr Emerson resigned from the party on 5 February 2025 to sit in the Assembly as a non-party MLA.
20. "Deregistration of Independents for Canberra". Elections ACT. 10 July 2025. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
21. Lindell, Jasper (10 July 2025). "No longer a political party, Independents for Canberra vows to stay involved". The Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
22. "ACT Election 2024 Preview". Dr Kevin Bonham. 29 September 2024. Archived from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
23. "Independents for Canberra Announces Registration as a Political Party". Independents for Canberra. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
24. Emerson, Thomas (14 October 2024). "What is a 'party of independents'?". Canberra Daily. Archived from the original on 23 December 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
25. "Our Policy Platform". Independents for Canberra. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
26. Bushnell, Ian (30 September 2024). "Independents provide more choice for jaded electorate but remain an unknown quantity". Riotact. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
27. Down, Rhiannon (18 October 2024). "New wave of independents a challenge to ACT Labor's 23-year grip on power". The Australian. Archived from the original on 19 October 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.