The success of the ‘Teal Independents’ was the breakthrough story of the 2022 Federal Election. How does a political aspirant decide to run as an independent? Is political independence a paradoxically collectivist ideal? What have Independents historically achieved, and will they change the face of Australia’s parliamentary democracy forever? Two former federal Independent MP’s, and unexpected ally and an unlikely contender discuss the ins, outs and also-rans of non-party politics.

Cathy McGowan (Cathy Goes to Canberra, Monash Uni Press)

Phil Cleary (Cleary Independent, A&U)

Simon Holmes a Court (The Big Teal, Hardie Grant)

Chair: Andrea Carson (Associate Professor of Politics, La Trobe University)

Recorded at the Bendigo Writers Festival on 6th May, 2023