A former MP who inspired dozens of independent candidates to stand for parliament will be speaking in Drouin this month.
Cathy McGowan AO, a former federal independent MP for the seat of Indi, is set to share her journey as part of a Politics in the Pub event at Middels on 21 March.
Hosted by Voices for Monash, it will be the third event of its kind in the region after hearing from Voices for Indi founder Dennis Ginnivan as well as Ann Capling, the campaign director to Dr Monique Ryan, Independent MP for Kooyong.
“Cathy will discuss with us her time leading the community all the way to parliament in Canberra from a committed group of concerned citizens through campaigning and ongoing success,” Voices for Monash said in a statement.
“For those seeking to learn how a community independent might up-end the hold of traditional parties, here is your chance to hear how Cathy brought the community with her to Canberra and involved them in the policy decisions all the way through her two terms in Parliament.
“Cathy will discuss how putting people at the centre of politics leads to better, more efficient and effective outcomes for the local community – by not being aligned to the vested interests of a political party – Cathy was free to work with both sides of politics to achieve better policy decisions for Indi and the nation.”
Voices for Monash committee member and former independent candidate, Deb Leonard, said Cathy paved the way for independents and communities to claim back democracy.
“Cathy’s tenure as an independent demonstrated that it is possible to achieve a strong, two-way relationship between community and an elected representative, and for the community to have their say in issues that affect them,” she said in a statement.
According to its website, Voices for Monash is a “community organisation of concerned citizens who want to activate and support the engagement of the community of Monash so their views are reflected by our representative in the Federal Parliament”.
The event will be held on Thursday 21 March at Middels, 94 Princes Highway, Drouin, from 6pm to 7.30pm. Attendees are invited to stay for dinner after the formal part of the event to continue the discussion, Voices for Monash said.
