ICAN Conference

Twelve independents from Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and NSW attended the meeting at Parliament House on 4 February 2006.

Apart from an opportunity to launch this website, it enabled independents to discuss campaign strategies, compare approaches to various issues, swap ideas on newsletters and corresponding with constituents and importantly, develop ways of encouraging new independent candidates.

Click here to read a full report on the conference.

Click on the links below to watch video clips of contributions from conference attendees:

View Clip 1:
ICAN coordinator and former Telstra manager Gavin Priestley on the folly of the Telstra sell-off.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.2Kb)

View Clip 2:
Tamworth Independent MP Peter Draper on cooperation but not caucusing with fellow independents.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.7Kb)

View Clip 3:
Queensland Independent Chris Foley says independence is a broad church.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.2Kb)

View Clip 4:
Dubbo’s independent MP Dawn Fardell believes community involvement is everything for an aspiring MP.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.5Kb)

View Clip 5:
Another NSW Independent Richard Torbay (Armidale) says incumbency and hard work brings elector confidence.
(Windows Media Video file - 2.1Kb)

View Clip 6:
Calare federal independent (Peter Andren) on why cross-bench independents are so important.
(Windows Media Video file - 0.9Kb)

View Clip 7:
Independent Tasmanian Upper House MLC Don Wing on his idea of independent campaigning.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.8Kb)

View Clip 8:
Russell Savage, Independent Victorian MLA on being honest with your electorate.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.7Kb)

View Clip 9:
The Australian Electoral Commission Kathy Mitchell on why independents but not party candidates have to declare donations.
(Windows Media Video file - 4.3Kb)

View Clip 10:
Don Wing again on how the voting system is stacked against the independents.*
(Windows Media Video file - 1.3Kb)

View Clip 11:
Long standing NSW and now federal independent MP Tony Windsor on what ICAN will achieve.
(Windows Media Video file - 1.7Kb)

*Peter Andren and Tony Windsor moved amendments to the government’s so-called Electoral Integrity Bill to try and ensure a fairer deal for independents. The major parties did not support their efforts. The exercise showed the major parties aren't about to upset their cosy arrangement. However, the Special Minister fro State Gary Nairn did suggest compulsory preferencing above-the-line is still under consideration for Senate elections.

Click here to read the hansard transcript of the debate - from page 6 of the pdf document.