The message for all major parties was clear. Voters want politicians to serve them, to act in their interests, and to shift gear on who they choose as candidates.
Labor and the Liberal National Party in Queensland lost seats to the Greens; teal independents replaced moderate Liberals in the blue-ribbon heartland of Melbourne.
Eric Abetz, the conservative Liberal warrior, lost his Tasmanian seat, ending 28 years in the Senate.
Elected ahead of him on the ticket was Jonathon Duniam, a Senator since 2016 who came up through the ranks of the Liberals working in political offices, including as chief of staff to two Tasmanian premiers and with Mr Abetz.
Second elected for the Liberals was Wendy Askew, another Senator who rose through political offices to political office.
This is a well worn path for all the major parties. Labor has traditionally drawn from the union movement, which at least provided a level of diversity and experience, but now the common denominator seems to be lawyers who worked for unions.
Steve Brooks, the Liberal candidate for Nicholls, listed his occupations as teacher and pomegranate farmer.
I’m yet to speak to anyone, from any side of politics, that wasn’t impressed by his passion, honesty, intellect and integrity during the campaign. Mr Brooks is a great find for the Liberals, and someone who would serve this community well.
At federal and state level, the upper houses are filled with career politicians who are barely accountable. Their high position on the party ticket ensures they get re-elected.
Mr Abetz had not held a senior party position since 2015, yet he was first elected for the Liberals in 2016. He described it as a mark of his popularity in Tasmania.
Six years later he was third on the ticket and fighting for a Liberal gain or the loss of his career.
The major parties need to do more of this.
The top spot on any ticket is an opportunity to guarantee people such as Mr Brooks get into our parliaments, or for that matter, people like Rob Priestly.
Politicians who have made a difference and served long careers should be encouraged to slide down the order and use their experience and standing to win a seat, leaving the top spot to replenish stocks.
We have seen in recent years several outstanding examples of this ethic, with senior AFL players, who could play on, announcing their retirements before the mid-season draft to create a list spot for younger talent. Talent with a longer future and therefore a greater contribution to make to the team.
If a similar attitude isn’t taken by the major parties then change will be slow, and the march of the moderate independents will continue to walk all over them.
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