Thread by @Nadia_Brady

@SuzieHolt4Groom Forum last night has me feeling hopeful and inspired. @Indigocathy says “A community empowered around politics is a wonderful thing” @KerryOBrien “The people of this country are ahead of the politicians” Suzie has spoken with so many who have a vision for Groom🧵

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @Indigocathy shares - People don’t feel as if their representatives are actually representing them. The power of the independents movement is finding the passion we have for our democracy is shared. #groomvotes

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien Panel host @AMTiernan reflects on a theme coming through in discussion - Politics is no longer about democracy, it’s about power.

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien Kerry shares an important reflection that robust government and robust media are both essential to a functioning democracy. He reflects that government has been discussed tonight, but it’s important to talk about Australia’s media near-monopoly and importance of the ABC.

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien Local doctor Eddy Barui jokes he’s “Not interested in politics”. Australia used to be admired overseas, he’s seen that changed when he travels. Why? We had to vote on marriage equality, children in offshore detention. “Democracy is a privilege, it’s hard to ignore even for me”

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien Asked “Is Groom taken for granted?” Eddy Barui reflects that the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have both had three new hospitals while Toowoomba is waiting for one. (Federal funding as well as state) Cathy McGowan adds that after her election Indi became a “sea of riches”

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @Indigocathy speaks about “the joy of belonging to a community that owns its own sense of power” and how she supported her community to find their power and pride and find their own solutions. I feel like if politics can be like this, why would we accept anything else?

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien “When was the last time toy voted for someone toy really wanted to vote for and not just because they’re the least bad of a bad bunch?” Eddy Barui talking about feeling inspired by @SuzieHolt4Groom #groomvotes

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @EVERALDATLARGE “This election is the time for people to rise up and say we’ve had a gutful of it.” #groomvotes

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @Indigocathy ”Independents don’t just talk about it, they are it.” Speaking about grassroots democracy and community

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien There was group discussion of a hung Parliament. This is a possibility for the election and Groom would benefit most from an independent. Cathy McGowan points out that independents are motivated by their values and their community (my words) so all of Aus wins.

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien Local doctor Eddy Barui’s advice - Vote with your conscience. @SuzieHolt4Groom #GroomVotes

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @KerryOBrien’s advice - If you’ve voted one way all your life and are uncomfortable changing your vote, you can vote #1 independent to show them you’re unsatisfied and still put them #2 so they get in. Everyone can figure out how to vote themselves

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @Indigocathy’s advice - Let a thousand conversations bloom. Talk to everyone you know about democracy. @SuzieHolt4Groom #GroomVotes

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @AMTiernan reflects that we should talk to people about the kind of ancestors they would like to be. @SuzieHolt4Groom #GroomVotes

@SuzieHolt4Groom @Indigocathy @KerryOBrien @SuzieHolt4Groom closed the evening by talking about the many conversations she’s had and the need for a policy for regional Australia. She spoke about a shared vision for Groom and some of the people who are contributing to this. #GroomVotes