Independents for Canberra add more candidates to election push

The Independents for Canberra group has added four new candidates to its list to contest the 2024 ACT election.

Businesswoman Leanne Foresti will partner with police officer Mark Richardson as the lead candidate in Ginninderra, and student Riley Fernandes is stepping in as a lead candidate in Brindabella alongside Dr Vanessa Picker after Nicole Lawsonn was forced to withdraw for personal reasons.

The other two – public servants Vikram Kulkarni and Nathan Naicker – will run as support candidates in Yerrabi and Murrumbidgee, respectively.

Independents for Canberra will run two lead candidates in each of the five electorates.

At the start of the month, Independents for Canberra launched a recruitment campaign for support candidates in a bid to boost their tickets to five in each electorate, as well as providing campaign experience to a variety of people interested in being part of the independent movement.

Ms Foresti owns and operates a concrete remediation business with her husband. She is a mother of four and has previously worked in immigration.

Her concerns cover small business, education and social disconnection.

She said delays in payment times and the costs of running a business in the ACT had forced many small businesses like hers into a precarious position.

“There’s really no incentive to run a small business in the ACT. Subbies and small businesses are tired of being forgotten,” Ms Foresti said.

“More broadly, I see a deep disconnect in our society – we see it in our kids, in our seniors, in our families, at work, and in our communities.

“We need to find ways to increase connectedness because we know that connected communities lead to a happier, more supportive and more productive society.”

Ms Foresti said she was concerned about what was happening in the ACT’s education and training systems.

“We need major reforms to inspire, motivate and empower our youth to find their purpose and feel a sense of belonging,” she said.

Ms Fernandes is a second-year psychology student, musician and single mother.

Her first-hand experience with physical and mental illness, financial hardship and social isolation motivated her to nominate.

“I’m speaking with Canberrans who are overworked and under huge financial pressure,” she said.

“The cost-of-living crisis is overwhelming many of us. The people who struggle the most and face the greatest barriers to positive change are often the ones who have the least access to support and feel the most shame in asking for it.”

Ms Fernandes said top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions were not working for the people of Tuggeranong.

“We can do much better,” she said.

She also called for greater support for the arts sector, with major music festivals being cancelled and local venues collapsing, leaving many local artists stranded.

Mr Kulkarni of Crace said he was committed to driving meaningful change and addressing the critical issues facing the community, particularly social and economic inequalities.

“It’s time for transparent leadership, with politicians accountable to the people they represent,” Mr Kulkarni said.

“I envision Canberra as a national leader in health, wellbeing, housing, education, sustainability and innovation – a city where our children flourish under bold, equitable leadership.”

Mr Naicker lives in the Molonglo Valley and is a father of two.

With a distinguished career in the Australian Public Service in areas including economics, transport and health, Mr Naicker said that he was ready to bring his experience and passion to advocating for policies that prioritise the wellbeing and prosperity of all Canberra residents.

“I have seen how our health system, infrastructure, transport, and public housing have suffered from neglect and false promises,” Mr Naicker said.

“We need change. It’s time to rebuild Canberra’s future.”