(Post Newspapers - 27 July 2024)

By BRETT CHRISTIAN

A strong independent challenge to the major political parties is ramping up in the electorate of Cottesloe.

A growing group of 15 people from the electorate, that stretches from North Fremantle to south City Beach, has been formed to mount a community candidate for the state election next March.

Helping organise the challenge is Sarah Allchurch, who was a driving force behind the election of Kate Chaney as an independent for the federal seat of Curtin.

"We are inspired by Kate's campaign, that started with the same process and produced a good candidate at the federal level," Ms Allchurch said.

"It puts the community at the heart of the process. That's genuinely inspired people and driven them to look at what they can do locally in their state seat."

Cott indi spokesperson Dr Catherine Jackson said Cottesloe voters deserved more choice than the political options now on offer.

"Less than one percent of WA voters are members of a political party, so it makes sense to have an independent candidate to represent the real concerns of the community," she said.

Their candidate's main opponent will be Liberal candidate Sandra Brewer, who ousted long-term sitting member David Honey, an outspoken opponent of over-development.

The seat has only ever been held by Liberal members.

In an apparent swipe at Ms Brewer's previous role as a developer's lobbyist, Professor Alistair Paterson, also a Cottesloe independent spokesperson, said electors were frustrated that political donations from large property developers were still permitted in WA.

He said people had expressed disappointment at the lack of integrity and transparency shown by party politicians.

"Other states including NSW, Queensland and the ACT - all of which are facing housing crises - have banned political donations from property developers and their close associates," he said.

Ms Allchurch said that the Cottesloe candidate would be addressing issues, including cost of living, education, housing and sustainable development.

She said the big parties seemed to be waking up to the depth of feeling in the community about tree preservation and planting, but their policies fell short.

A similar search for a candidate in the neighbouring seat of Churchlands is under way (Locals disrupt battle of Zempilas v Tonkin, POST, April 27).

Tahwee Davies, a spokesperson for the group called Churchlands Independent, said that the search for a candidate involved in and supported by the community was now accelerating.

There are also credible suggestions of a community candidate for the state seat of Nedlands where sitting Labor member Katrina Stratton will run for the Upper house.