Zoe Daniel Calls for “Era of Independence” in Australian Politics

In a powerful address at the National Press Club, Community Independent Member for Goldstein, Zoe Daniel MP, has declared that Australia is at a “fork in the road,” calling for an end to the dominance of major parties and championing a stronger crossbench to drive real reform.

“We’ve been told for decades that only the major parties can govern. But have they really been solving the issues that matter to everyday Australians?” Ms. Daniel asked. “Is housing more affordable? Is our tax system fair? Are women safer? The answer from my community is clear: No.”

The speech, which laid out a bold vision for a more representative and solutions-driven government, highlighted key achievements of the crossbench, including legislating minimum emissions reductions, empowering women, reducing student debt and pushing for long-overdue tax reform.

“Our communities sent independents to Canberra to get things done, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” she said. “From fighting for fairer HECS indexation to elevating family and domestic violence as a national priority, the crossbench has been the driving force behind real progress.”

With the next federal election looming, Ms. Daniel warned against reverting to “politics as usual,” where partisan gridlock and corporate interests stifle meaningful change. Instead, she called for a shift to a more balanced parliament that puts community needs first.

“My message to the voters of Goldstein and beyond is simple: Independence works. We are the backbone of the people’s house. This election isn’t just about who sits in the Prime Minister’s chair—it’s about demanding a government that actually delivers.”

Key priorities for the next term include:

“We can’t afford another three years of broken promises and political spin. This is our moment to demand something better.”

Speech Transcript - The Era of Independence - National Press Club speech - Zoe Daniel 

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