Family affair as two Pollards vow to bring back accountability in Independents for Canberra run

Giralang-based small businessman Trent Pollard has announced he will join his first cousin and lead candidate David Pollard in contesting the seat of Yerrabi at the ACT election on 19 October.

The duo says people are fed up with “cronyism”, the waste of government money and neglected infrastructure in their part of the capital and that they can help bring accountability back to government.

Nurse Sneha KC and public servant Vikram Kulkarni make up the four-candidate Independents for Canberra ticket in an electorate based in and around Gungahlin.

“Something that’s held us back is that people didn’t used to think independents could be competitive,” Trent observed since joining as a support candidate. “I think that perception is changing, Canberrans are starting to think independents can get up and hold the government to account.”

Like his older cousin, 30-year-old Trent grew up in Canberra, went to Daramalan College and graduated from the University of Canberra.

But David, 42, said there were no plans for a Pollard political dynasty.

“We’ve got a big family, we’re close as cousins… neither of us set out for a life in politics, we’re both busy and run our own businesses. But we fell into community groups and we want to see things get better. I saw Trent doing the same things I was doing,” he said.

While Trent’s embarking on his first political campaign, David ran in the previous two local government elections. He said the vibe was very different this time.

“I’m hearing a lot more concerns this time about integrity and good government. People are upset by things like the CIT scandal and the waste of public money… it’s all cronyism,” David said.

“The behaviour of the major parties is certainly pointing to the opportunity for something different and something better. The Liberals are not doing themselves any favours and there’s a lot of complacency with Labor.”

He said the Greens weren’t holding Labor to account.

“If they were, the Independents for Canberra wouldn’t be needed… they’ve been in power for 12 years and are not providing the accountability they could provide if they just held the balance of power.”

David said with so many different independents running, there was a genuine chance to transform the Legislative Assembly.

“If independents win three seats from the left… they won’t have the numbers to put in a Liberal Government but they will have the numbers to break up the [Labor-Greens] coalition… If they do as well as the Greens have done, by getting one in every electorate and two in Yerrabi [six in total] then anything is possible, though that’s a longer shot.”

Trent said he has been calling for government support to upgrade sporting and community group facilities in Gungahlin for many years.

He said as president of the Gungahlin Eagles Rugby Club, he has been meeting with politicians and candidates from all parties. But his calls have fallen on deaf ears.

“Nicholls Oval has been a hub of community activity in Gungahlin since the early 1990s. The precinct has remained largely untouched for more than 25 years and no longer adequately serves the requirements of the Gungahlin community,” Trent said.

“Gungahlin needs more inclusive spaces for its community groups and clubs. It’s frustrating to see nothing being done about the lack of facilities for female athletes, poor storage, and poor spectator facilities at Nicholls Enclosed Oval.

“Women players have been changing in storage containers or in plain sight with no privacy or dignity whatsoever. This situation is highly inappropriate and humiliating for our community sport clubs, teams, the individuals involved and for Canberra.”