IS IT TIME FOR MORE AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENTS?

Just a thought: maybe electing more independents to our parliaments will protect us from the excesses of MAGA-Trumpism and its pathetic local copycat, Clive Palmer’s dog’s breakfast, Trumpet of Patriots.

At first glance, the rise of independents seems to foreshadow a confused, hung parliament that would slowly strangle good governance and planning and make it more difficult to innovate.

But, looking at what Trump has been able to achieve in such a short time under the American two-party system, it may be time to reconsider the value of independents.

Should we have an Australian version of the current American scenario: a craven Republican Party and a shell-shocked and toothless Democratic Party, we could see our system dismantled like America’s.

Strong independents, like David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie, and many others standing for the next Federal election, will act as an insurance policy against the regimented capitulation we’re seeing in America.

I’m thinking of genuine independents, not Clive and his playthings with their mindless MAGA mantras.

We need candidates with character, ability and policies aimed at bettering the lives of their constituents.

They speak without fear of party backlash and they are ever mindful of representing their core supporters rather than the party line.

Maybe it’s time to truly value independent voices and to give them the chance to hold both the major parties to account and to protect our democratic structures. We must choose carefully.