Putting People Before Major Parties – And Definitely Before Zombies

So here we are, facing yet another Tasmanian election—the third in just four years. Astonishingly, this marks the second time we find ourselves in this situation because Premier Jeremy Rockliff couldn’t have his way and dug in.

The Premier claims that this is an election “Tasmanians don’t want, and Tasmania cannot afford.” For once, he’s not wrong. However, what he conveniently omits is the reason we’re in this predicament: major party politicians still haven’t mastered a fundamental lesson from kindergarten—working together.

When the state budget crashed and burned—forecasting deficits as far as the eye can see—and the vote of no confidence was successful, it was a call for the minority Liberal government to change course. But deaf to any criticism, the government’s answer was to call an election and blame others for the wreckage.

But this isn’t just about a bad budget or a couple of rogue projects.

It’s about a broken system in which both major parties care more about political theatre than serving the public.

This is the reason People Before Major Parties – Tasmania came into being. Because Tasmanians are sick of watching the two major parties slinging mud at each other, sick of the backflips, sick of the promises, sick of the lack of transparency. It is time to clean-up.

Labor won’t work with the Greens. The Liberals won’t work with anyone who disagrees with them. And then they both have the nerve to call a crossbench “unstable.”

A diverse, independent-minded Parliament is not chaos – it’s democracy. What’s not democratic is coercing the public into believing minority governments are unworkable.

Look back at the Federal Parliament under Julia Gillard. It was a minority government backed by independents, and guess what? It passed more legislation than most majorities ever do—including major reforms like the NDIS and education funding. That wasn’t dysfunction. That was grown-up politics.

But off to the polls we go — and you’re asking yourself, “Who should I vote for?

Surely not any of the candidates from the major parties, lurching toward us like debt-hungry zombies from The Walking Dead, clawing their way out of the political graveyard with the same tired promises.

Thankfully, there is appetite for something better. At the last federal election, independent Peter George ran for the first time in Franklin and came within striking distance of a major upset. He only missed out because of Labor’s incumbent advantage, but the result sent a clear message: voters are done waiting for the two major parties to fix themselves.

Already, over 30 independents and minor party candidates have put their hands up, and that’s a week before nominations close. On Sunday, 29 June, ten Braddon independents are running a public forum in Ulverstone.

Independents have started to work together, for you, to make a difference. But they will be challenged in getting their voices heard in the face of opposition and negativity from the major parties and some mainstream media.

That’s where People Before Major Parties – Tasmania comes in.

We’re not a party and we don’t tell people who to vote for.

We are not influenced by donations or professional industry lobbyists. We simply want to introduce you to people that are against ruining our state.

Yes, Tasmania does face economic challenges because off its small population, geographic isolation and limited industry diversity. But Tasmania’s isolation is part of our strength. It helps protect our unique places, distinctive flora and fauna and the character of our towns and communities.

It also creates space for original thinking and local innovation. We’re not like the mainland states, and our future depends on embracing that difference, not copying models that don’t fit.

Tasmania has all the ingredients for a bold, forward-thinking future. We’ve got scientists growing seaweed to cut cow methane, a factory building electric ferries for the world, artists redefining culture at MONA and researchers unlocking breakthroughs in dementia and climate science.

The state is bursting with innovation, much of which is not recognised nor invested in.

Instead, our major parties continue to prop up greyhound racing, pokies and native forest logging—industries either in decline or in ethical freefall—while underfunding the very things that build a fairer, smarter, healthier Tasmania. If that’s not upside down, I don’t know what is.

We need candidates within a parliament who:

• Listen to the people, respond to their concerns and are flexible to changing conditions
• Think about the long term, not the next election
• Will collaborate rather than grandstand (especially not in the grandstand of that stadium)
• Will look at policy on merit, not just whether it comes from their party
• Are not funded by pokies, developers or mates from backroom lobbying firms

This election is a chance to break the cycle. Not just to “send a message,” but to send people to Parliament who will represent us.

We’ve seen what happens when we go back to the same entrenched team. Unsustainable budgets. Secret stadium deals. Blame games instead of solutions. A political culture where if you’re not in the club, your voice doesn’t count.

Well, it’s time to change the club.

So, if you’re feeling a little bit zombie-fatigued, and you don’t want to vote for the same failed formula, don’t give up. There are good candidates out there—independents and minor parties with ideas, integrity and actual listening skills.

Let’s get more of them elected. Let’s make Parliament reflect us – diverse, pragmatic and future-focused.

Let’s put people before major parties. And for the love of Tasmania, let’s keep the zombies where they belong—in reruns and not in Parliament.

Christine Bayley is a spokesperson for People Before Major Parties – Tasmania who are on Facebook.

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

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