Fairfax Matters is a community-driven initiative dedicated to empowering residents of the Sunshine Coast to engage in local issues and shape the future of the region. We focus on raising awareness about key concerns, encouraging civic participation, and finding an independent candidate who truly represents the community's interests. We are a group of parents, grandparents, and young people who are deeply concerned about the future of the Coast and are tired of candidates ignoring community voices. For too long, we have been a safe seat that politicians take for granted. While we may not have the financial resources of the major parties, we have the passion and commitment to make a difference.

No, Fairfax Matters is not affiliated with any political party. We are an independent movement formed by community members who want to see a more representative, accountable, and responsive government.

Fairfax Matters engages with the community to identify and understand key concerns. Through Kitchen Table Conversations and surveys, we have found the following to be the most pressing issues:

- Population Growth
- Housing Affordability & Homelessness
- Infrastructure & Services
- Environmental Protection
- Climate Change
- Governance

We advocate for the issues that matter most to locals, ensuring that their voices are heard and their priorities are addressed - not the priorities of party politics.

Kitchen Table Conversations (KTC)  are small, informal discussion groups where community members come together to share their views on local issues. We have met in peoples homes, pubs and coffee shops. These conversations help us gather diverse perspectives, understand the concerns of residents, and guide our advocacy efforts. If you would like to host a KTC let us know. Email [email protected]

Fairfax Matters operates as a grassroots, community-led initiative focused on engaging local residents and advocating for issues that matter to the Sunshine Coast. Our activities are funded through a combination of small donations from individuals, fundraising events, in-kind contributions from local businesses, and small grants. We have applied for and successfully received funding from Climate 200 to support one of our initiatives. We rely on the support of volunteers and community members to help organise events and spread our message, and we are committed to maintaining transparency in our operations. 

Statistics show that people are fed up with party politics and voters have never been so disengaged with politics. We believe that an independent candidate, free from party politics, can better represent the interests of the Sunshine Coast community. Our goal is to find someone who listens to residents, priorities local issues, and is committed to positive change.

Fairfax Matters relies on community input to identify and support a candidate who shares the values and priorities of the electorate. We encourage locals to nominate and suggest potential community leaders who they believe can represent the people effectively and drive meaningful change.

The phrase "Teal independent" is a made up the media coined for a group of Independent community-supported candidates who rose to prominence during the 2022 Federal election, often competing in traditionally safe Liberal seats. These candidates prioritized policies such as climate action, political integrity, and local concerns, with many receiving up to 30% of their campaign funding from Climate 200's community accelerator program.

Unlike major political parties, which receive significant funding from oil and gas donors, community independents are free from corporate influence. Although Climate 200 provides partial funding, it does not control the candidates' platforms. These independents focus on serving their constituents, ensuring the community's needs guide their actions in government.

Fairfax Matters advocates for this type of grassroots-driven representation, supporting leaders who prioritize the interests of their community without the constraints of party politics.

An independent can be a strong advocate for their community, raising concerns that might otherwise be overlooked in party-dominated discussions. Independents often hold the balance of power in a hung parliament, allowing them to negotiate and secure significant benefits and funding for their electorates. Additionally, they can work collaboratively with various political parties to support policies that align with community values, pushing for practical and impactful legislative changes without being tied to partisan directives.

Supporting an independent can lead to a more inclusive and transparent political process. By electing a representative who is committed solely to the electorate’s well-being, Fairfax can enjoy focused advocacy, direct responsiveness, and policy changes tailored to its specific needs.

Real-world examples of the impact of independents include:

• Climate Action: Independents such as Zali Steggall, who introduced the Climate Change Bill, pushed for stronger legislative frameworks on emissions reduction and climate adaptation. Although initially rejected, it placed significant pressure on the government to elevate climate policies.
• Integrity and Accountability: Helen Haines, representing the electorate of Indi, spearheaded efforts for a federal integrity commission to address corruption and strengthen trust in government. Her advocacy led to increased focus on anti-corruption measures in parliamentary debates.
• Representation and Policy Influence: Independents like Cathy McGowan have used their balance-of-power position to secure regional funding and better services for their constituents. Her work in championing rural health and connectivity demonstrated the power of an independent voice advocating for local needs.
• Higher Education Reform: Monique Ryan, the Independent Member for Kooyong, launched a petition in March 2024 to reform the HECS-HELP debt system. The petition garnered over 288,000 signatures, highlighting widespread concern over student debt indexation. This grassroots effort led to the government announcing a $3 billion reduction in student debt and changes to loan indexation rules, benefiting over three million Australians.

These examples show how independents can drive change, champion critical issues, and ensure the voices of their communities are heard in Parliament. Electing an independent can bring this same dedicated and impactful representation to Fairfax, promoting a government that works for the people.

Federal Government 

The federal government deals with issues that affect the whole country. Its main priorities include:

• Defence and National Security: Protecting Australia’s borders and ensuring national safety.
• Foreign Affairs and Trade: Managing international relationships and trade agreements.
• Immigration and Citizenship: Overseeing the entry of people into the country and granting citizenship.
• Economic Management: Setting national economic policies, taxation, and the federal budget.
• Social Services: Administering programs like Medicare, pensions, and welfare.
• Tertiary Education: Overseeing universities and higher education funding and policies

State Government 

The state government manages areas specific to its state or territory. Its primary responsibilities include:

• Healthcare: Operating public hospitals and health services.
• Primary and Secondary Education: Overseeing public schools from kindergarten to Year 12.
• Transport and Infrastructure: Managing state roads, public transport, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Law and Order: Maintaining police forces and managing emergency services.
• Environmental Policies: Handling state-specific conservation, land management, and water resources.

Local Government 

The local government focuses on community-level services and local infrastructure. Key responsibilities are:

• Community Services: Providing facilities like libraries, community centers, and support services.
• Waste Management: Organising waste collection and disposal.
• Parks and Recreation: Maintaining parks, recreational spaces, and community sports facilities.
• Local Roads and Footpaths: Ensuring maintenance and safety of streets and pathways.
• Urban Planning: Managing local development, building approvals, and zoning regulations.

Understanding these levels helps the community direct concerns and engage with the right governmental body to address specific issues.

The Australian federal government controls the allocation of funding for sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social services, impacting local projects reliant on this support. One key funding area is GST revenue, which the government collects and redistributes to the states. How these funds are allocated can determine if local projects progress or face delays due to funding shortages.

For too long, the Sunshine Coast has been caught in funding battles between state and federal governments, where different parties play against one another, taking advantage of the region’s status as a safe seat.

Stronger local representation in the federal government can ensure that community priorities are heard and funding needs are met, preventing local projects from stalling due to financial gaps or political games.

No, independents are not part of the Greens or any political party.

By definition, independent representatives are not affiliated with any established political party, including the Greens. They run their campaigns and make decisions based on the specific needs and priorities of their constituents, free from party policies or agendas.

While some of their views or policies might align with those of other parties on certain issues, independents maintain their autonomy and are not bound by any party's platform or directives.

• With the Greens and Labor: Independents vote with the Greens and Labor when it aligns with their electorate’s core concerns, such as climate action, integrity in politics, and social issues. This collaborative approach prioritizes beneficial policies over party lines, showing they’re flexible and driven by values rather than partisan loyalty.
• With Liberals: Independents vote with Liberals when those votes align with their electorate’s priorities, illustrating their balanced approach and commitment to policies over parties.