Peter Strong will join Ann Bray running as independents at this year’s ACT election. Photo: Supplied.
High-profile Canberrans Peter Strong and Ann Bray have declared as independent candidates for this year’s ACT Assembly elections, to be held in October.
Saying that 23 years is too long for the same party to be in power, the pair says the Assembly needs switched-on independents to help keep the government in check and reinvigorate policy discussions.
“Canberra’s government has lost its way. It has been in power too long,” they said in a statement announcing their candidacies.
“One reason is that the Liberal opposition is not yet worthy of holding government given the extremes within that party.
“[We] have had a long hard think about what needs to be done. We both agreed that we need quality independents who understand good government and excellence in policy.
“We thought we would do more than talk about it and will be nominating as candidates at the ACT election in October this year.
“Twenty-three years is too long for a party to be in power. It can become lazy and complacent. Bad habits become entrenched.
“A sense of privilege can pervade the halls of power. A belief that ‘the Libs will never win and therefore we are safe to do what we want’ exists.”
Mr Strong is best known for his former role as the chief executive officer of the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA), a position he held for 11 years. During this time, he built a strong reputation as an advocate for small business owners.
He also used to own the famous Smiths Alternative Bookshop.
Mr Strong is a media commentator and has featured regularly in national and local news forums, including as a casual columnist for Region.
“Labor needs some time out. The Liberals aren’t a good alternative,” he said.
“It does not bode well for good government to have a weak opposition. A strong crossbench will result in better government”.
Ann Bray: “We have never seen such an upswell of concern and a groundswell for change.” Photo: Ann Bray.
Ms Bray is a trained medical scientist and has worked in the private sector and Commonwealth public service for 35 years, most recently as an Australian diplomat in Washington, DC.
She too has been a small business owner.
“We have never seen such an upswell of concern and a groundswell for change,” she said.
“We want to be part of it.”
Independents have not been able to get into the Assembly since the 1998 election as the Territory’s Hare-Clark voting system makes it difficult for independents to be elected.
“We believe that just as we have seen in the Federal Parliament, there is a place for independents in the ACT Assembly as well. Strong knowledgeable independents,” the pair said.
“We will be running as we are concerned about good government. We will be analytical and evidence-based in our thinking and decision-making.
“We will consult widely. And we will be honest and ethical in our dealings. We don’t have vested interests.”
The pair have urged ACT voters to think seriously about voting for independents.
“We need at least four independents to ensure minority government forces those in power to think outside the ever-shrinking square of power,” they said.
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