DEAR News Of The Area,

I APPRECIATE Janet Olney’s letter (‘Honesty in funding’, 21 March) for prompting this opportunity to update the community on the nature and scale of my campaign. It’s important that voters feel informed about who is running to represent them.

Firstly, I understand that the advertising we have been able to secure is different from what our community is used to.

The major parties direct their taxpayer, and corporate-funded, campaign spending to marginal seats.

Cowper has been seen as ‘safe’ for so long that we’ve been ignored and are not used to the level of political advertising that happens in other parts of the country.

For an independent campaign, the challenge is introducing ourselves to the entire electorate.

The major parties have the advantage of incumbency.

They have easy access to traditional media along with a taxpayer-funded communications budget, which they are already using extensively, even though the election is yet to be called.

As a community-backed independent, we don’t have that advantage.

That’s why I’m proud to share that over 400 locals have chipped in to help fund these ads.

Unlike the major parties, we don’t have corporate donors bankrolling us.

Our ads are funded by small contributions from local people who want change, and we’re focused on delivering a positive message to people across the electorate.

I’m also proud to have received support from the Regional Voices Fund and Climate 200.

Both are crowdfunded initiatives supported by tens of thousands of Australians who want fairer, more accountable politics, and an evidence-based response to climate change.

What makes my campaign different is that I am not bound by party factions or corporate donors.

I stepped down from my role managing hospitals in this region because I’ve seen first-hand what happens when politics gets in the way of delivering what communities need.

I want to be part of the solution.

Being an independent means I am accountable to the community, without the constraints of a party line, factions, or corporate donors influencing my decisions.

If elected, my focus will be on the needs of our community: delivering better healthcare, strengthening our schools, ensuring affordable housing, and providing reliable mobile and internet services.

I wholeheartedly embrace this public discussion, as it is vital for the health of our democracy.

Regards,
Caz HEISE,
Independent Candidate for Cowper.