Cottesloe Independent Launches Ahead of WA Election
25 July 2024
Community-driven organisation Cottesloe Independent has launched a campaign to find and support an Independent candidate to stand in the state electorate of Cottesloe at the WA election in March 2025.
Cottesloe Independent (Cott Indi) was established by residents looking for a solution to the continued disregard for community concerns on a range of issues and the systematic stripping away of community consultation by successive state governments.
Cott Indi spokesperson Dr Catherine Jackson said Cottesloe voters deserved more choice than the current political options on offer.
“The people of Cottesloe deserve a Member of Parliament who will represent their concerns and values rather than those of a political party and the vested interests of their donors.
“Less than one per cent of WA voters are registered members of a political party, so it makes sense to have an Independent candidate to represent the values and concerns of the community.
“We are seeking a candidate who is focused on the issues that matter to people in Cottesloe, not their own political career or a wider party agenda," Dr Jackson said.
Fellow Cottesloe Independent spokesperson Professor Alistair Paterson said people in the community had expressed disappointment at the lack of integrity and transparency shown by party politicians and were frustrated that political donations from large property developers were still permitted in WA.
“Other states including NSW, Queensland and the ACT - all of which are also facing a housing crisis - have banned political donations from property developers and their close associates, but in WA we are still allowing this sort of political influence to continue.
“We believe the voters of Cottesloe deserve integrity, transparency, better community consultation and real action on cost of living, housing, sustainable planning, health and education,” Mr Paterson said.
The state seat of Cottesloe sits within the federal electorate of Curtin which is now represented by Independent MP Kate Chaney.
“Voters in Curtin saw the value of an engaged community Independent MP who listens to and advocates for their electorate and we believe many people in Cottesloe will value the same priorities when it comes to state issues, " Mr Paterson said.
The State Electorate of Cottesloe includes:
+ North Fremantle + Mosman Park + Peppermint Grove + Cottesloe + Swanbourne + Claremont + Mount Claremont + South City Beach
Find out more and take the Cott Survey www.cottesloeindependent.com
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Dr Catherine Jackson
Catherine lives in the Cottesloe electorate with her family and is a medical practitioner. As a dedicated healthcare provider, she has been serving the wider community for more than 25 years.
Professor Alistair Paterson
Alistair lives in the Cottesloe electorate with his family and is an archaeologist and university educator, working with communities across Western Australia. He is a parent rep on his daughter’s school board.