30 September 2024

Independents for Canberra add more candidates to election push

| Ian Bushnell
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Leanne Foresti

Businesswoman Leanne Foresti will run in Ginninderra: small businesses are tired of being forgotten. Photos: Supplied.

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.

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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.

Riley Fernandes

Student and single mother Riley Fernandes says people struggling with the cost of living need more support.

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.”

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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.

Vikram Kulkarni

Public servant Vikram Kulkarni says it’s time for transparent leadership.

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.”

Nathan Naicker

Public servant Nathan Naicker says infrastructure has been neglected.

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.”

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I want all independents to state their position on extending light rail. I will not vote for any who support it. Our rates and charges are bad enough already, and I speak as an Economist.

Is “…committed to driving meaningful change and addressing the critical issues facing the community…” the most meaningless statement of the election as yet? I would be tempted to vote for a candidate prepared to say that they were committed to driving meaningless change and addressing the trivial issues facing the community.

Douglas Hynd1:15 pm 17 Jul 24

Where do candidates stand on public transport policy? Are they in favour of extending light rail? (Labor)?Focusing entirley on buses? (Liberal)? Or supporting a comprehensive policy, light rail & improvements in buses (Greens)?

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

Spot on. Neglect and false promises. That’s been the repeated outcomes of this government over the last decade.

Does Mr Naicker run in the Woden electorate? Or is Molonglo separate from us.

Nathan Naicker11:02 am 23 Sep 24

Sorry for the late response. I’m running in Murrumbidgee (which includes both Woden and Molonglo).

Yes, a good bunch of candidates, but what is your plan to fix Barr’s Busted Budget?

Every one of these candidates will side with Barr to keep Labor in government.

@Ken M
… and as long as these independents have the balance of power and stick to their ethos of keeping government accountable, who cares?

LOL
That bridge is still for sale champ.

@Ken M
Given I don’t buy anything you put up, it’s going to be for sale for an awfully long time.

If you’re not authorising your own material, you’re not a real independent

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