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  3. Why does David have a party if he’s an independent?
Who will David be preferencing? How do preferences work in the Senate? Will David have a How to Vote card? Who would David support in the event of a hung parliament? Who is funding David’s campaign? Why does David have a party if he’s an independent? Who will be the second candidate for David’s campaign? Is David eligible to stand for election – isn’t he a citizen of Zimbabwe? Is David part of a Labor/Greens/Independents alliance? I’ve seen some flyers and ads around attacking David, are they allowed? I’ve been sent a postal voting form directly from a candidate, is this allowed? Why are there signs up around Canberra portraying David as a Greens candidate? Has David done any preference deals?

Why does David have a party if he’s an independent?

Answer

Only registered political parties can get a box above the line with their name and logo. It is one of the inequalities built into a system that favours the major parties. It is not an issue in the lower house where independents are listed in the same way as candidates from parties.

David is running as an independent, but had to form a party to get ‘above the line’ on the Senate ballot paper. This is important as at the last federal election 78% of people in the ACT voted above the line.

If David didn't form a party, and get above the line, he would have had no chance of winning.