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The community in the Australian federal seat of Curtin elected the 7th new independent MP to parliament 2 years ago now, and the first and only (to date) in WA. In those two years, that community independent, Kate Chaney, has continued to drive a level of engagement and outcomes that no one I speak to has any memory of happening before. Perhaps it happened back when the major political parties first got going, when they had some membership to speak of? Today, less than 0.5% of Australians are members of a major party – not even the 1%!

In contrast, democracy is on the rise via this community independents movement. And here in Curtin, it’s resulted in multiple deliberative democratic processes, consistently brilliant outcomes, and some recent ground-breaking developments – from wellbeing economies, to climate, to transparent elections. But Kate’s expressed great fear too, based on what she’s seeing in parliament.

Head here for automatic cues to chapter markers and a transcript, also available on Apple and some other apps. (Note the transcript is AI generated and imperfect, but hopefully serves to provide greater access to these conversations.)

Recorded 19 April 2024.

Title slide: Kate & AJ in conversation (pic: Angie Hewitt).

See more photos on the episode web page, and to see more from behind the scenes, become a member via the Patreon page.

Music:
Green Shoots, by The Nomadics.

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden, from Regenerating Australia.

The RegenNarration playlist, music chosen by guests (thanks to Josie Symons).

Find more:
Curtin’s Pathway to Net Zero: Making our community healthier, fairer and more liveable as we address climate change.

Upcoming events.

Kate’s article on the Fair & Transparent Elections Bill.

My articles:
We Can’t Keep Adding Cars to Our Roads – Is It Time to Say Goodbye?, on the World Economic Forum website

Cutting Back on Electricity is the Cleanest Power Source of All – As Our Household Shows

Enough’s Enough: Buying More Stuff Isn’t Always the Answer to Happiness.

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