Independents key to change
It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that politics is something that only happens in the hallowed halls of Canberra or the sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street.
You could be forgiven for thinking that that the most impact you can have in politics is by the exercise of your democratic right once every few years.
Most of us accept that between elections we must resign ourselves to decisions taken by government and make the best of things. Small and medium business owners tend to think being politically engaged means simply trying to stay abreast of the latest policy debates and regulatory changes that affect them.
Indeed, for all but the biggest private-sector players, in a conventionally constituted parliament, by and large that may well be the case.
It so happens, however, that Australia’s parliaments are ever more frequently being constituted in a way that allows for unparalleled engagement by everyday individuals and business owners. This is thanks to what some commentators have called ‘the proliferation of independent and minor party politics’.
Let me explain.
Since 1989 every state and territory has had a hung parliament (some more than once) and each jurisdiction has been affected at some time or another by a ‘hostile’ (or at least complicated) upper house.
This all culminated in last year’s Federal election, which saw a handful of independents become king-makers.
How, you may ask, does this phenomenon allow for more and better private-sector engagement with public policy formation and regulatory reform?
Well, it provides a unique opportunity for the types of companies that make up the First 5000 network (those successful medium-sized businesses with 20 -199 employees and $10 million+ annual revenue) to get a foothold into influencing public policy discussions.
This arena is usually only accessible to those companies large enough to employ their own government relations departments. Canny mid-market entrepreneurs should seize their moment.
Compared to the ALP and the Coalition, independent MPs are less encumbered by party loyalties or obligations to repay favours to financial backers and the other considerations of party politics.
Independents have a mandate to consider legislation on its merits and act in accordance with the interests of their constituents and wider jurisdiction they have been elected to represent. In making such assessments, independents consider the perspectives of a diverse range of interest groups—they are open to engaging beyond sphere considered by the major parties. Indeed, they active seek that engagement.
What I’m trying to say is that, though they may not set the agenda, independents and minor parties have a unique ability to influence the outcomes of policy debates; and they look to people like you to determine how best to do this.
After all, who is better positioned to understand how proposed changes such as carbon tax, innovation policy, research and development concessions or tariffs will affect the engine room of Australia’s economy than you – those companies that are directly affected.
By engaging with independents, you are empowered to shape the future of the country.
In my next post I will share some ideas about how you can begin to do just that.
Glenn Druery is the most prominent Independent and minor party political and policy specialist available to the business community in Australia. At Independent Liaison, Druery advises businesses and organisations on how to have the most effective and productive working relationships with Independent MPs and minor parties around the country.
