Five Independent Women for SA Election 2022

02 March 2022

Five Independent women are standing up for their rural and regional communities in the 2022 South Australian election and are set to disrupt the delicate balance of power, if elected.

Unaffiliated with any party, the five women are standing as independent candidates in the seats of Finniss, Flinders, Frome, Hammond and Narungga and bring a wealth of experience and passion with them to the polling booths.

Their decision to put their names on the voting slips for 2022 is unanimously based on a belief that safe seats do not benefit anyone except the political party they are aligned with.

“Our electorates have been neglected for far too long and it’s time to shake things up a bit,” they agreed.

Governments are won or lost on key marginal seats, and these Independent women want to make sure they can influence outcomes which benefit their electorates.

Lou Nicholson (Finniss), Liz Habermann (Flinders), Cate Hunter (Frome), Airlie Keen (Hammond) and Dianah Walter (Narungga) may be independent, but they have plenty in common – and top of the list is a desire to be the true voices of their communities and do the best they can for electorates which have felt disenfranchised and ignored for years.

They agree on critical matters, beginning with concerns about the sorry state of the South Australian health system and how the failings of major parties to care for us, particularly during a time of crisis, have caused anxiety, stress, and trauma.

All but one of the women are contesting what have been considered safe Liberal seats, which, according to them, make them ripe for a change – because ‘safe’ seats don’t attract government spending.

Frome, before redistribution, was in independent hands for a dozen years and reaped the benefits, and is another illustration of how Members of Parliament, who don’t have to bow to party lines, can record success by securing more funding and growth for their electorates.

Each of the five electorates has slightly different needs, but the one constant is the desire for all these candidates to work towards delivering vibrant, healthy local economies, working to meet the needs of everyone and leaving no one behind.

Top of everyone’s list is healthcare, but this is closely followed by improvements to infrastructure, greater investment in the regions to stimulate economic growth and deliver jobs, and improved communications.

The safe Liberal seat of Finniss has been neglected long enough, according to Independent Candidate Lou Nicholson who says it’s time to put Finniss to the front.

Lou has developed a list of priorities in consultation with her community, so she knows she is on the right track when it comes to listening to what people want.

“Finniss simply can’t afford to be a safe seat anymore. I’ll be working for our local ambulance service, hospital and health services, climate action, homelessness, infrastructure and our future – all matters of importance to my community.”

Consultation plays a huge part in the future of any community, because it’s important to identify and fill needs by someone who lives there, not by decision-makers who may have never visited the region.

“I will be a highly engaged, locally focused representative and will be out in the community working for the people of Finniss, not hindered by party lines, roles and obligations,” Lou said.

Flinders is another safe Liberal seat – so safe the State Government hasn’t felt the need to spend money on the electorate for a very long time – and this is something Independent Candidate Liz Habermann is keen to see change.

Health care, road infrastructure, phone and internet coverage – all these need to improve if the people of Flinders are to receive a truly fair representation from the State Government.

“I was involved in the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill being passed by our State Government, and, while listening to MPs share their views, I realised how disconnected some of them were from the people they were meant to represent,” Liz said.

“I was humbled to be asked to run as an Independent and took on the task and opportunity to step up and help where I could, to improve the lives of those living in the Flinders electorate.”

Cate Hunter is contesting Frome as an Independent candidate after the electoral boundary redistribution.

Cate has spent time as a local Councillor, giving her an insight into how this level of government works and providing her with opportunities to understand the needs of her community and what the pressure points are. She is a small business owner and author and has worked as a documentary film maker and zoologist.

Cate’s experience across arts, education, government, and professional training equips her with a range of skills which assist in finding solutions and getting things done.

“I am drawn to leadership positions of strategic decision making and love to see communities thrive and flourish,” she said.

Cate is looking forward to the opportunity of continuing the tradition of having an Independent member for Frome.

“Before the seat was held by an Independent, Frome was a safe Liberal seat, and nothing ever got done – safe seats are not beneficial to our regions.”

Also a councillor, Airlie Keen will be standing as an Independent Candidate for Hammond under the banner ‘Action and Integrity’.

Airlie grew up on the River Murray between Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend and has worked in a professional environment for 30 years.

“Hammond is an ultra-safe seat that has been overlooked by successive governments. I want to bring real competition to the seat. With a name like mine, I’m asking ‘Are you Keen for change?” she said.

As a truly independent local, Airlie will work harder to make Hammond an even better place to live.

Important priorities include infrastructure upgrades, better and more affordable bus services, after-hours doctors’ services across the region and 24/7 emergency paramedics at Strathalbyn and Mannum.

With more than 35 years’ experience working in regional communities and listening to their needs, Dianah Walter is standing up for the Seat of Narungga and the people who live there.

An independent voice, Dianah genuinely listens and knows that, in the past, Narungga has been taken for granted. Another previously safe Liberal seat, the electorate has had poor support from the State Government who have failed to provide adequate healthcare and infrastructure to this rural region bordered by the sea.

Our regions are the backbone of our state and the economic powerhouse that drives prosperity for all South Australians. The regions contribute around $29 billion per year to the state’s economy and are home to key farming, fishing, mining, manufacturing, and tourism industries.

“In Narungga Primary Production alone delivers more than $6 billion annually – and in return we get under-funded health services, more taxes and levies and patched up roads,” Dianah said.

“One of my first priorities is to get our health care sorted – our healthcare is in crisis and the major parties have let us down.

“That means deliverables such as the Yorke Peninsula being resourced with at least two, not one, Community Paramedics; one based in the southern half and one in the northern part of the Yorke Peninsula. In fact, this should be explored across all large geographical regions,” Dianah said.

Five strong, independent women seeking better outcomes for their communities – they plan to be a disruptive force in State Parliament and can’t wait to see what happens when the votes are counted.

ENDS

This Media Release has been written by Nan Berrett, Word Solutions & authorised by Lou Nicholson – Finniss | Liz Habermann – Flinders | Cate Hunter – Frome | Airlie Keen – Hammond | Dianah Walter - Narungga