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 the overwhelming majority of people in the ACT voted above the line.

If Senator Pocock didn't form a party, and get above the line, he would have had no chance of being elected.