Kate Chaney is another of the growing number of independent candidates being announced around the country who might have a big say in the next pivotal federal election here in May. Kate is being described by many media outlets as Liberal Party royalty. That’s the nominally conservative party in Australia – or at least it has been, prior to this incoherent incarnation currently in government. Kate’s uncle, Fred Chaney, was a prominent Liberal Party parliamentarian, and her grandfather too. But three weeks ago at her campaign launch, Fred endorsed Kate as the independent candidate for the federal seat of Curtin, given the dire need for systemic change.
Curtin is reportedly the fifth safest Liberal Party seat in the country. But it’s not feeling like that now. Notwithstanding those media headlines, Kate’s been on her own path with politics, and everything else. And on the back of that, she came across the radar of Curtin Independent, the community group formed in Curtin to do what so many other communities are doing – seeking and nominating independent candidates; candidates not after a political career or power for its own sake, but to represent their communities. Imagine. And she’s standing to win.
This conversation was recorded at Galup / Lake Monger, in the inner north-west of the city of Perth, Western Australia, on Tuesday 22 February 2022.
Title slide: Kate Chaney (from her website).
You can see a few more photos on the episode website, including of the campaign launch we talked about.
Music:
Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the new film Regenerating Australia, launching this week.
Find more:
Kate’s website.
Curtin Independent, the community group from which Kate was asked to stand.
The national Community Independents Project, steered by Cathy McGowan and team.
If you’d like to hear my conversation with Cathy McGowan from last year, as this independents movement was gathering momentum, head to episode 85.
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