This week we speak to Dr Helen Haines, the Independent Federal Member for Indi.

Dr Haines is the first independent in Australian history to succeed another independent in a federal seat. Rather than a political party, she was endorsed by a community organisation – Voice 4 Indi – as a potential successor to incumbent MP Cathy McGowan.

McGowan had been the member for Indi since 2013 and her winning the seat of Indi from Sophie Mirabella and then retaining it was a huge shake up for the major parties.

Indi was previously considered a conservative stronghold but fast-forward to 2019 – Independent Cathy McGowan was endorsing another independent Dr Helen Haines to campaign for the seat. Dr Haines campaigned strongly on increasing Newstart (now Jobseeker), climate change and rural health services, she won the seat and she’s been advocating in Parliament ever since.

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