MEDIA RELEASE - THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2025
INDEPENDENT VOICES CRUCIAL TO AUSTRALIA’S DEMOCRATIC FUTURE
Kate Hook, community independent candidate for Calare has called out the federal government’s electoral reforms as nothing short of a direct attack on Australia’s democratic future.

The bill, recently passed by Parliament, will make it significantly harder for Independents to run in future elections, further entrenching the dominance of the major parties. Kate insists that unless the bill is revisited and changes are made, this may be one of the last elections where a community independent campaign like this can succeed.
“These changes are designed to make it even harder for communities to elect independent voices,” Ms Hook said. “If democracy is to continue in this country a mix of perspectives from all walks of life, including our young people, must be heard.”

“That’s why this election is so crucial,” Hook added. “Calare has a real opportunity to send a message that voters want genuine representation and other options —not just more of the same self-serving, two-party duopoly that’s held Australia back. In any other sphere people agree competition is a healthy thing. We don’t want our
politics to turn into a Coles and Woollies scenario.”
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