We don’t usually try to make this blog self-serving. It’s meant to be a deliberation on the major issues of the day and where we stand on each key issue.

However, there’s an increasing sense of urgency this election to talk about something no one wants to discuss: money.

Last week, we addressed the new election financing laws that were marketed as a means to take money out of politics, but which are actually a way to keep all the money in the hands of the major parties.

It may seem strange that this week we are discussing why it’s important to fund political candidates. But this consolidation of power is exactly why it’s crucial to continue investing in politics.

The media tends to highlight how much money Climate 200 has brought into politics, especially how expensive the campaigns for Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender, and David Pocock were in 2022.

But did you know that the majority of money in politics still goes to the major parties? The Coalition has spent the most at every federal election since 2007. In 2022, it spent $132 million, while Labor spent $116 million.

Most donations to the major parties come from a select few. The Coalition’s top five donors in 2022 accounted for more than a third of their declared donations.

In comparison, the independents and other individual candidates collectively spent about $21 million in the 2022 federal election. Of course, this is for fewer electorates, but per electorate, it was still significantly less money.

Australians are trapped in a false belief that only the major parties can drive change. This is categorically incorrect. Julia Gillard’s minority government had a better success rate in passing legislation than the Morrison government. Minority governments force compromise, bring new ideas, and drive real change.

Furthermore, independents emphasise listening to their constituents. While the media may have painted them as “teals,” they are, first and foremost, community-backed independents. They are driven by making decisions in consultation with their community that are right for their community. The major parties, meanwhile, are driven by what’s right for the party or, more cynically, what’s right for the major donors.

At our original launch for the seat of Higgins, we stated:

“The best thing about living in a democracy like Australia is that it is up to you. Not me, not Bronwen, not Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton. You - the people of Higgins. You can be a part of great and lasting change for this community and for this country. We need you to stand with us and say you will no longer accept the status quo. That we can and will do better.”

One of the most exciting aspects of the community independents movement is that it brought in the community. Not just armies of volunteers, but armies of donors as well. Everyone chipped in. And when everyone chipped in, it led to a substantial amount of funding.

So this is our ask of you: be a part of our army. Join this fight. It’s a worthy one.