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The Sustainable Hour no. 540 | Transcript | Podcast notes
This week on The Sustainable Hour, we welcome back Kate Lockhart, who recently announced her candidacy as the Community Independent for Corangamite in the upcoming federal election. Kate, a dedicated community leader and advocate for integrity, equity, and climate action, shares her motivations for running and her vision for the electorate.
From narrowly missing a seat in the North Bellarine local government election to stepping up for federal representation, Kate reflects on the challenges and responsibilities of entering politics as an independent candidate.
Kate discusses her concerns about the shift towards right-wing politics, the need for genuine community representation, and how Independents can reshape Australian democracy. Drawing inspiration from existing Independent MPs, Kate emphasises the importance of voting based on community needs rather than party lines.
Kate explains how her three pillars – integrity, gender equity and climate action – guide her decision-making, and why she believes they resonate with the voters of Corangamite.
With limited media coverage for Independents, Kate highlights the grassroots nature of her campaign and the importance of local connections and volunteers. She shares practical policies to improve sustainability at a local level, such as connected footpaths, urban reforestation, and reducing unnecessary car trips.
Kate firmly believes that her candidacy will not “split” the progressive vote. Rather she provides a crucial alternative to major party politics, ensuring voters have a choice for real representation.
→ Listeners can support Kate’s campaign by volunteering or donating through katelockhart.au or by connecting with Voices of Corangamite, www.voicesofcorangamite.org.
. . .
Global Outlook with Colin Mockett OAM
Colin provides his weekly international climate and political update, covering:
- The upcoming COP30 summit in Brazil and the global stakes for climate policy.
- The UK’s plan to transition into a clean energy superpower by 2030.
- The potential challenges for Texas’ renewable energy sector under President Trump’s new tariff regime.
- Tesla’s declining market share in China, with BYD emerging as a strong competitor.
- Updates on Forest Green Rovers, the world’s most sustainable football club.
. . .
Plus, a thought-provoking segment from Juice Media’s Honest Government Ad, dissecting the realities of minority governments and the power of Independents in holding major parties accountable.
Songs we play:
► Rising Voices | Lyrics
► I Heard It On The Sustainable Hour | Lyrics
→ More music here
. . .
Don’t miss this important conversation about community-driven change and the future of Australian democracy. Listen now and join the movement for Independent representation!
Be informed, be engaged, and be the difference!
“Come ride the Independent Wave with us in Corangamite. We need greater integrity and transparency in all levels of Australian politics. A vote for me as a Community Independent means that I will listen to what our community needs are, do the work to establish the facts, and make good decisions to improve equity for all, drive down the cost of living, and take action on climate change.”
~ Kate Lockhart, Community Independent candidate for the Corangamite electorate
“We’ve been ignored by the major parties for too long. We can do better. And as an Independent, I am going to work with the community to make sure we achieve better together. So I would encourage everyone who’s frustrated with politics or who just thinks we deserve, you know, a bit more recognition and a bit better representation around here to get on board and join the campaign. Put up a sign, share social media with your friends. Just get on board, get involved because you’ll have a lot of fun and we really could change the face of democracy for the better.”
~ Deb Leonard, Community Independent candidate for the Monash electorate
→ Subscribe to The Sustainable Hour podcast via Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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We at The Sustainable Hour would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we are broadcasting, the Wadawurrung People. We pay our respects to their elders – past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations people.
The traditional custodians lived in harmony with the land for millennia, nurturing it and thriving in often harsh conditions. Their connection to the land was deeply spiritual and sustainable. This land was invaded and stolen from them. It was never ceded. Today, it is increasingly clear that if we are to survive the climate emergency we face, we must learn from their land management practices and cultural wisdom.
True climate justice cannot be achieved until Australia’s First Nations people receive the justice they deserve. When we speak about the future, we must include respect for those yet to be born, the generations to come. As the old saying reminds us: “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” It is deeply unfair that decisions to ignore the climate emergency are being made by those who won’t live to face the worst impacts, leaving future generations to bear the burden of their inaction.
“The Indigenous worldview has been marginalised for generations because it was seen as antiquated and unscientific and its ethics of respect for Mother Earth were in conflict with the industrial worldview. But now, in this time of climate change and massive loss of biodiversity, we understand that the Indigenous worldview is neither unscientific nor antiquated, but is, in fact, a source of wisdom that we urgently need.”
~ Robin Wall Kimmerer, weallcanada.org
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Community Independents timeline
Here’s a timeline highlighting the presence of Community Independents in the Australian Federal Parliament across recent elections:
2013 Federal Election
- Cathy McGowan (Indi, VIC): Elected as an Independent, defeating incumbent Sophie Mirabella
2016 Federal Election
- Cathy McGowan (Indi, VIC): Re-elected as an Independent
- Andrew Wilkie (Denison, TAS): Re-elected as an Independent
2019 Federal Election
- Helen Haines (Indi, VIC): Succeeded Cathy McGowan, marking the first time an Independent handed over to another Independent
- Zali Steggall (Warringah, NSW): Elected as an Independent, unseating former Prime Minister Tony Abbott
- Andrew Wilkie (Clark, TAS): Re-elected as an Independent
2022 Federal Election
Re-elected Independents:
- Andrew Wilkie (Clark, TAS): Continued his tenure
- Zali Steggall (Warringah, NSW): Re-elected
- Helen Haines (Indi, VIC): Re-elected
Newly elected Independents:
- Kate Chaney (Curtin, WA): Elected as an Independent
- Zoe Daniel (Goldstein, VIC): Elected as an Independent
- Monique Ryan (Kooyong, VIC): Elected as an Independent
- Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, NSW): Elected as an Independent
- Allegra Spender (Wentworth, NSW): Elected as an Independent
- Kylea Tink (North Sydney, NSW): Elected as an Independent
- Dai Le (Fowler, NSW): Elected as an Independent
- David Pocock (Canberra, ACT): Elected as an Independent Senator
2025 Federal Election
The 2025 federal election will occur in May 2025. It will see:
- 38 Community Independents running
- Tens of thousands of passionate volunteers across the country
- A growing, people-powered call for better representation
This timeline showcases the increasing influence and presence of Community Independents in Australia’s federal political landscape over recent election cycles.
Whatever the outcome this year, one thing is clear: Communities are awake, engaged, and ready to demand politics that puts people first.
A minority government offers an opportunity to drive action on difficult issues that haven’t yet been addressed– namely climate change. womensagenda.com.au/politics/loc…
— Colin James PhD (@colinj51.bsky.social) March 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
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Opportunities for transformation – podcast
The climate crisis isn’t just accelerating—it’s colliding with political inaction and corporate resistance, creating what experts call a polycrisis. And yet, today’s conversation with Dr. Dana R. Fisher made one thing clear: moments like this aren’t just obstacles—they’re opportunities for transformation.
Dr. Fisher—author, researcher, and one of the most insightful voices on climate activism—joined Terra.do for a deep, unfiltered discussion with Dr. Kamal Kapadia, Terra.do co-founder and creator of the Learning for Action fellowship, on what actually works in climate action.
Here are some of the most powerful takeaways:
🔥 The climate movement isn’t failing—it’s shifting. Activists are using a range of tactics—from advocacy to direct action—to push for systemic change. Research shows that strategic pressure can drive momentum and shift public support toward meaningful climate policies.
⚖️ The system won’t save us—change comes from outside it. Fossil fuel interests have deeply embedded themselves in policy and governance, ensuring incremental action at best. Meaningful progress isn’t likely to come from within institutions, but from organized and individual pressure on them—from people like you.
🌍 Climate shocks will drive the next wave of action. More frequent and severe disasters will force mass mobilization—if we prepare for it. That means strengthening local resilience, building community ties, and supporting those on the frontlines before the crisis hits.
🛑 Political resistance is growing—but so is public support. The crackdown on activism, the suppression of climate research, and the dismantling of climate policies are real. But so is the movement’s momentum. The number of first-time protesters is rising, and people who never engaged before are now showing up. Will you?
💡 The real work isn’t just protest—it’s organizing. Protest gets attention, but sustained pressure is what forces change. The most effective movements don’t just march; they build networks, forge alliances, and push for systemic change from the ground up.
This conversation was honest, urgent, and deeply motivating. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge, we highly recommend watching the full recording here.
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Transcript of The Sustainable Hour no. 540
Simon Holmes á Court, addressing the National Press Club:
Now this movement is taking back our democracy. What we’re seeing right now is a democratic revival, a renewal of the spirit of service and civic responsibility.
Jingle:
The Sustainable Hour. For a green, clean, sustainable Geelong. The Sustainable Hour.
Tony Gleeson:
We’re The Sustainable Hour podcast. As always, we like to start off by acknowledging that we’re on the land of the Wadawurrung people. We pay tribute to the elders – past, present, and those that will earn that great honour in the future. We’re on stolen land, land that was never ceded, always was and always will be First Nations land.
We should be listening to them because they are the people, the oldest surviving culture on the planet – been existing and thriving for tens of thousands of years before their land was stolen. In that time, where they focused on nurturing both their land and their communities, they acquired a great deal of ancient wisdom that we’re going to need as we navigate the climate crisis.
Deb Leonard on The Independents Podcast:
We’ve been ignored by the major parties for too long. We can do better. And as an independent, I am going to work with the community to make sure we achieve better together. So I would encourage everyone who’s frustrated with politics or who just thinks we deserve, you know, a bit more recognition and a bit better representation around here to get on board and join the campaign. Put up a sign, share social media with your friends. Just get on board, get involved because you’ll have a lot of fun and we really could change the face of democracy for the better.
Mik Aidt:
Says Deb Leonard in the Independents Podcast. Deb is a Community Independent candidate running for a second time now in Monash. She doesn’t have a party behind her, instead she has her community. Today in The Sustainable Hour, you will meet the new Community Independent candidate who will be campaigning in Corangamite, which means in the Bellarine, the Surf Coast, Armstrong Creek and Geelong. Her name is Kate Lockhart.
And among the places where you’ll be able to meet her soon, next Thursday, actually – Thursday in a week – is in Queensliff, where there’s a film screening, a panel discussion at Uniting Church. We’ll put more about that in our notes for today’s episode on the climatesafety.info website. But for now, quickly over to Colin Mockett OAM, who’s got our weekly update on what’s been happening around the world.
COLIN MOCKETT’S GLOBAL OUTLOOK:
Okay Mik, well I’d like to begin with the lead up to the next COP Summit. That’s COP 30. It’s coming this November in the Brazilian city of Belém, which is deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This year’s COP President designate André Aranha Correa do Lago, who is a diplomat and a long-time climate negotiator. He’s on our side if you like.
He circulated a 10-page letter to all of the parties that are due to attend this year, and it calls for this coming COP30 to become a turning point for global climate action. The letter highlighted the significance of COP30 because it marks 20 years since the Kyoto Protocol and 10 years since the Paris Agreement, both of which were landmark international treaties on climate change and they set the 1.5 degree goal. But the letter states, over the past three decades, the climate crisis has shifted from a looming threat to become a daunting reality.
Correa de Lago underlines that COP30 will be the first to undeniably take place at the epicentre of the climate crisis. It’s the first to be hosted in the Amazon which according to scientists is at risk of reaching an irreversible tipping point. With this in mind, the president-designate has set strong goals for his summit, saying that he wants to make COP30 the kickstart of a new decade of real action on the global climate fight. Now that’s his direct quote.
Now, unfortunately, that fight begins even before the summit because a second piece of news out of Brazil came last week saying that a new road is to be constructed through the Amazon rainforest that would allow delegates to drive to the COP venue instead of taking the current river or air route. Yep, it’s in the middle of the Amazon. Mostly people get their boat river. The plans for the new road, which will update a current track, were set in place by former president Bolsonaro. And environmentalists are certain that he did this to allow the forest to be exploited for its resources. Now it’s up to the current president Lula da Silva and his environment minister Marina Silva to roll back the plans which have the backing of local right-wing state politicians. So there is a potential battle even before the COP begins.
Now there’s better news from the UK where the Starmer government has announced its intention to turn Britain into a clean energy superpower, which was its promise when it was elected last July. It’s an ambitious policy that’s aiming for at least 95 per cent of Britain’s electricity generation to come from clean energy sources by the end of the current decade.
That’s giving them five years. To this end, it’s looking to the North Sea to shoulder the biggest load. Now this brings back memories of the 1970s when the Thatcher government closed down the country’s coal mines, relying instead on North Sea oil rigs to produce energy. Now the new Labour government is closing them down – that’s the North Sea oil rigs – and turning to the reliable westerly Atlantic winds to power hundreds of new offshore wind facilities that are going to stretch from North Wales to Scotland.
The aim is to make offshore wind the country’s largest source of electric generation. Alongside this, Labour pledged to ban new drilling licences for oil and gas in the North Sea, and abandon its current court cases that were brought against Greenpeace. Greenpeace opposed development consent for North Sea oil and gas fields, so now these won’t go ahead. Instead, the government recognised the history of the UK offshore oil industry and the importance of its workforce, particularly in Scotland and the North East of England. Supporting these workers through the transition to clean energy, is another of their key initiatives.
Now to Texas, where the first signs of President Trump’s new tariff regime on renewable energy have set warning bells ringing. The cost of doing business with the new tariffs and rules could stall the industry’s ability to generate the cheap power that’s contributed to Texas’s economic growth. Now this is according to energy consultant Doug Lewin. He said the new regime would affect all forms of generation technology, whether it be gas turbines, wind turbines, solar panels or batteries. All of that stuff has global supply chains and large tariffs will almost certainly cause power prices to go up, he said. And he added that the threats set to affect renewable energy players in Texas don’t come solely from the tariffs but also from rules being decided in the state legislature.
His proposed bills this session aim to burden developers of renewable energy projects by imposing new fees and requirements that wouldn’t be required of natural gas plants, he said. One proposed bill would let municipalities and counties ban battery storage facilities located 500 yards from residential developments.
Another seeks to allow coastal communities the right to ban offshore wind turbines if they violate pre-established community values relating to shipping routes, tourism and recreational or commercial fishing. Now while it’s still early in the legislative session, there’s worry that new policies coupled with new costs from tariffs could spell trouble for Texas’ renewable energy boom as the state races to bring more power online, he said.
And now the first signs from China of Tesla’s decline in sales. The company may have had its best days in world trade. And this is especially true in China, which is the world’s biggest and most advanced EV network. Elon Musk’s automaker has been backsliding for the five consecutive months on a year on year basis in China, according to the latest data.
Tesla’s shipments plunged 49 per cent in February. That’s from a year earlier. In February this year, just 30,688 vehicles were sold in China. That’s the lowest monthly figure since way back in 2022. And that was at the middle of the COVID epidemic. Tesla’s market share in China is well under 5 per cent now.
Meanwhile, the Chinese-made BYD has a market share heading towards 15 per cent. The Shenzhen-based carmaker, that’s BYD, also notched another record month for overseas sales, which hit 67,025 units. Its success is a major reason why Tesla is losing. And while Tesla sales in other parts of the world are crashing, because Musk wades deeper into politics. Sales in Germany have dropped 76 per cent to only 1,429 cars last month. And that was even as the overall EV registrations jumped in Germany. In China, that’s not the reason for Tesla’s sales decline. Chinese markets don’t care about Musk. They’re saying that the decline in sales has more to do with a narrow and dated line-up, particularly in the face of up-to-date and more exciting offerings from BYD and other Chinese makers. What they’re basically saying is that Tesla’s outdated now.
And my final piece is about Forest Green Rovers, and it’s just for Tony. They drew 2-2 with South-end United at the weekend, leaving them still nine points clear in a promotion position from England’s National League Three. There are only nine games left to play, so they’re almost certainly going to be promoted to League Two next year. And that mixed bag completes our roundup for the week.
Jingle:
Listen to our Sustainable Hour – for the future.
Tony:
Our guest today is someone we had on a couple of weeks ago as a host for International Women’s Day. It’s Kate Lockhart. Now since then, Kate’s been accepted as the community rep for the Corangamite electorate in the upcoming federal election. So we’ve got Kate back on today to talk about what she was thinking when she stuck her hand up for that? Kate, how are you going?
Kate Lockhart:
Good, thanks Tony. Thanks for the instruction. Yeah, I have been appointed as the Voices of Corangamite Community Independent for the federal seat of Corangamite in this 2025 federal election.
So that is something that I have thought long about and still kind of approach with some reluctance. And that’s not to say that I’m not motivated, but just understand that a woman doesn’t head into public life, especially politics, lightly, and I’m conscious of the impact it has on my family and friends. it’s… I’m very motivated. Having run locally in the North Bellarine seat of Murredock in the 2024 local government elections, I was narrowly and very disappointed to not win that seat. For all intents and purposes, I’ve got a strong background in community leadership and that was acknowledged with my winning the City of Greater Geelong Women and Community Life Climate Action Award in 2023 and then taking on a fellowship for women community leaders to run for local government in 23-24 under the guidance of Ruth McGowan and Alicia Heath, ‘Women for Election’.
So I have a good background in community leadership and local governance. I’ve done some, done quite a lot of community work with Bellarine Landcare, Drysdale Tennis Club, the school councils both in primary school and high school.
So I’ve got a strong integrated connection and I think the results from those local government polls were astonishing and I took it very personally but Kamala Harris loss the same week, and so then I also had to put it in perspective as – well, no, my loss was not going to affect world peace but it is also a symptom of the same narrative – and so I’m very anxious that this federal election doesn’t slide too far to the right because I think it’s unhealthy. I think it’s dangerous for women, foremost, to be quite honest.
And I felt that joining the Voices and trying to find a good local candidate was possibly the best we could do to shift the narrative again locally in a direction that the majority want, which is a centrist government focused on solving problems, not filling up their own bank accounts. So that’s why I’m here.
Colin:
Good on you, Kate. First up, can you just set the record straight? How many did you lose by in that council election?
Kate:
So in that council election of about 15,500 voters, I received 7,100 votes, so 48.8 per cent of the vote. I lost by 350 votes. And the informal vote was something like 550 votes. So again, I just have to say – because I’m running on gender equity as an important pillar: If a woman puts themselves forward, chances are they’ve really thought about it. And if you can’t decide in a two horse race between a middle aged woman and dole due respect an elderly man at 75, based on any of their policies, the fact that a woman’s put her hand up means she’s probably thought a lot harder about it. And then it’s not disrespecting good men, but if you can’t make a decision as an informal voter, maybe just consider that.
Colin:
Yeah. Well, you’re in Corangamite, you’re standing in Corangamite, which has a reputation for voting women in, because it’s Libby Coker at the moment, and for a long time it was Henderson – wasn’t it? – for the Liberals. But it also swung considerably. It must be marginal now, especially in the current, in the light of the way things are moving with the distaste that voters have for the big parties. Having said that, do you know how many people are actually standing that you’re standing against? You’re not standing just against the big two, are you?
Kate:
No, so personally, yes, it has been regarded as a marginal seat that does back women. And again, I think that plays to the old story of the traditional parties. know, if the seat’s a tough seat, they’ll put a woman in to try and win it back. And I think there’s a gender discrepancy in that, to be quite honest. And so, yeah, Libby Coker’s been the sitting member for 12 years, took it from a marginal liberal seat to a marginal labor seat and I think the margins now about 6 per cent, and so it’s actually not regarded by the AEC as a marginal seat.
But I think that that’s doing us all a bit of a disservice because I actually think it is marginal again with the contraction of the Corangamite electorate to the Bellarine and dissecting the Surf Coast Shire so that it only takes in our Torquay and Jan Juc, not even Freshwater Creek, and goes up to Ceres.
It really is an opportunity, or I think it’s important to have a Bellarine-based candidate. So that was one question, and the other question…?
Colin:
How many are standing? Do you know how many are standing?
Kate:
So the election hasn’t been called, so nominations haven’t been submitted, but I understand from the media that we’re up to five. So there’s Libby, a Liberal, a Greens. Mind you, the Liberal and the Greens are both younger men. And there’s a second time runner, a Democratic Libertarian, is that possible, from Surf Coast that’s run previously. So we’re up to five.
Colin:
Yep. Now, what are your main planks? What do you think are your strengths that you want people to vote for because the others haven’t got it?
Kate:
Well, I think I’ve got a good track record in community work. I’ve got a science-based background, did agricultural science at university, which is, I think people have said in the past, is a good generalist degree that enables me to both speak to scientists and understand the scientific language, but also being based on, you know, working with farmers, we have to also be able to understand the numbers.
We’ve got a strong background in economic management and business management. And so I think that really plays into my strength, which has always been as a facilitator and a translator, whether it’s between my mom and my dad or my siblings or my family, but also having worked overseas, I was often a translator between different cultures in an international organisation as well as working as a volunteer internationally in Thailand as well. So that translator communicator simplifier of the English language is – dare I say – is possibly my superpower. So I’ve barely got English but so I had at the time pretty good…
Colin:
How many languages have you got?
Kate: (at 21:02)
Verbal Thai. I was there for years and I’ve also spent a year or so in China with our family. So I was able to take my extended family around an extended tour of China and order them a good meal of provincial Chinese food in any city. So more than survival Chinese and Thai and just a smidgen of Dutch as well. I can pick when someone’s speaking Dutch or German and those sorts of things. So I’ve got a curiosity about language and I’ve got a curiosity about communicating with people.
Tony:
Kate, what would you say to people that state that you’re splitting the progressive vote by standing against the Greens? How would you respond to that?
Kate:
I am not really standing against anyone. I’m just wanting to give people choices. I am really concerned about this swing to the right and I feel like there is a real still a public desire to protest and I am really challenged by the fact that the Liberals haven’t learnt from what happened three years ago with the big swing of inner city teals or community independence in safe liberal seats and I’m really challenged that, and I’m even almost insulted to be quite honest from the women of Corangamite, that the Liberal Party couldn’t find an intelligent, capable, experienced woman to fly the flag for the Liberal Party. There’s doctors and principals, veterinarians, business women, there are lots of really brilliant business women in Geelong and I’m sure a lot of them have liberal party loyalties and I really think they should have found someone of that ilk.
Tony:
To pursue that point, have you got to the stage of looking at your preferences and how they’ll be allocated, how you’re working with other maybe progressive candidates on that front?
Kate:
Well, yes and no. I think actually as a community independent whose primary role is to actually listen to the local community, I think the main point that I would really like to get across is for people to make an informed decision about who they vote for and it’s not actually for me to prescribe who they vote for. I think that’s one of the problems potentially with the party politics that we’re all a bit tired of.
At this stage, until I seek further advice or insights that will shift me, but I think it’s really up to an individual to make an informed decision. so I feel at this point in time, it’s unlikely for me to prescribe who people should put their preferences towards. I think they should make an informed decision. I’m certainly aiming for the centre. I think most of us sit in the centre. We often hear from the extremes and so it’s on equity, climate action and integrity. And I think if you’re running on integrity and transparency then I think you need to make your own choices. I’ll make my own choice.
Colin:
You’re right, the election hasn’t yet been called yet. Almost certainly it’s going to be in May, we know that. And certainly the big parties have already rolled out their electioneering posters. I mean, I was in the Bellarine, going along the Bellarine Highway, there was a huge poster for the Liberal candidate, but it didn’t say Liberal candidate. That was quite small in the corner. It was the second time I went past it that I spotted that.
It’s just a big blue sign and it says, I can’t remember exactly, but it was along the lines of it says the fella’s name and then it said ‘Dad, soldier…’, and then something else. Just three words. Didn’t say liberal. Just three words. Dad and soldier were two of them. If you were to bring your campaign down to three words, what would your three words be?
Kate:
Thanks, Colin. I can assure you that it says: ‘Tradie. Soldier. Dad.’ There’s been a bit of debate about whether it should have been Soldier Tradie Dad – and the STD made a few of us giggle. So in direct response to that, there’s been a bit of noise about, well, if your dad’s the biggest thing you’ve ever done, maybe you should have put that first. But I respect that it’s probably gone in chronological order.
So I have quite deliberately put myself forward as: ‘Scientist. Mum. Independent’. And I was a scientist before I was a mother. I still am a scientist. I still believe in finding the facts and analysing the data and making informed, equitable decisions. And I’m independent. Having a values-based decision-making framework, I think, leads to greater transparency and integrity.
Colin:
I truly believe that the independents at this upcoming election have got the biggest chance ever because I think all voters have got the two main parties on the nose. I think that’s one of the things that we are going to be seeing. There are a few voters going for the two main parties. Whether they move to the Greens, I tend to doubt that.
So that leaves the independents in a very strong position. If you’d have gone a couple of years ago, you’d have been a little bit like Don Quixote, but at the moment, I don’t think you’re going to be tilting at windmills. A lot depends on the other people who are standing with you.
Kate:
There’s a lot in that Colin and I think you’re absolutely right on two fronts. I do think the independents have a real chance this election but let’s reflect on why that is because of those predominantly women have acted with real integrity. know if you go back and look through their actions in Parliament they will vote with liberal they will vote against Labor, that’s the same thing, potentially they’ll vote with Labor, they’ll vote with the Greens, they’ll vote against the Greens. Every time they vote they make a conscious decision on ‘how is this aligning with my community, my community needs, my community’s aspirations and how is this playing into making our nation a better place for us and for our future generations?’
The integrity of it all. They articulate when they don’t always agree, but they’ve articulated why they’ve voted the way that they have and that holds with their constituents.
And on the other thing also, the way the two major parties have, I think someone said financially, gerrymandered the electoral campaign funding process into the future.
You know the independents are a real chance but they need to take the opportunity now because the David and Goliath scenario that we’ll be looking into for the next federal election, if the majors do push that legislation or if that legislation persists, you know, we are catastrophic – for us to be quite honest.
Now you used some reference to something, some donkey something, I don’t know what that was about so…
Colin:
The character who tilted at windmills.
Kate:
Okay, well, sorry I don’t have that cultural reference to participate further in that conversation.
Tony:
You think enough of us know enough about preferential voting and how that works and how that can be used to send that strong message to both the major parties?
Kate:
I think so. I do actually think so. I think your first preference is your first preference and if you don’t get your first preference, if your first preference doesn’t, is the bottom of the pile, you have the least first preferences, then your first preferences get distributed. Your votes, the people that vote for you get distributed to who those voters then distribute their second preferences to.
The language is clear: put who you want first and then if you don’t get your own way there then put who you really want next most likely second, third and fourth and fifth. Make sure you do all the numbers otherwise you’ll be invalid and please don’t draw an extra box and say Josie Smith. It’s not going to help anyone. Please vote. Please vote. There’s nothing more excruciating than losing an election by less than the informal vote. We’ve got a pretty good democratic system here with our compulsory voting. It doesn’t take much time to make a good decision.
I know there’s a lot of people that don’t like politics, but politics permeates everything we do. And if you’ve got better people in decision-making positions, the better outcomes you’ll get. The more diversity, it’s proven, now, the more diversity you have at the decision-making table in both gender, culture, age and stage, the better, more informed, more integrated community decisions you’ll have.
Colin:
Yeah, look, that’s perfectly correct. But at the same time, we’re in Geelong. And we know that the major parties in particular are quite capable of putting dummy candidates in with the pure intention of directing votes to their real candidate. And we know this because a couple of times the dummies got up in council elections and left some very surprised party workers in positions of power.
Now almost certainly you’re going to have dummy candidates in Corangamite because both of the leading parties want to win it. They see it as winnable. My suggestion always goes different to yours. My suggestion says look who is going to be the worst for the climate and put them last. And almost certainly that’s going to be the liberal nationals. And then look out, look who else looks like they’re a, what can we say, a fellow traveler. And then put them second last. And really just put the people who are for the climate in your preferences behind your number one pick.
That would be the way that I would go. I would also look for who’s going to be at the bottom of the ticket as well as who’s going to be at the top.
Kate (at 33:15)
Yeah, I’d agree. I’ve got three pillars though, climate, equity, transparency. And people will make their own priorities on those things. And in terms of climate action, we really need to focus on the cost of living stuff. And there’s heaps of things we can do at a local level and at a federal level to shift those daily costs of living pressures. Connected footpaths. Now, connected footpaths seem like some sort of notional leisure concept to people who are always driving cars. But if we can get our footpaths connected, there was a stat that said that there are five million movements of vehicles in the Geelong region, think, or Geelong and Melbourne region, that are less than 900 metres.
Now, I’m guessing two thirds of those are when a primary carer is having to deliver a small person to their place of education or an older person to a medical appointment or a teenager to an extracurricular activity and if they’re all done locally and we’ve got decent footpaths and shared footpaths then those people, particularly the teenagers, can get themselves to and from their extracurricular activities and there’s all sorts of benefits from that. Plant a few street trees, let’s get our forest, our urban forest canopy from its current 14 per cent in Geelong up to the prescribed 40 per cent.
And they can walk, they can do that summer, winter and fall. Or fall, that must be a, must be a cleats. A song, sorry. So there’s little, there’s basic things that we can do to move forward on the cost of living. And I’d like to be a part of that decision making process.
Again, both of the big parties are going to say, yes, but these people who are released to walk along a footpath to go to their destination, how are they going to feel safe when we have such difficulty with organised gangs and other things that they’ve put up to frighten the voter?
Kate:
Well, last time I looked there weren’t many organised gangs on the Bellarine or even in Armstrong Creek or Torquay.
Colin:
You haven’t been to Queenscliff?
Kate:
I don’t want to be disrespectful again but I suspect those gangs are more of the senior style than the junior style. And let’s be serious about this though. If there are more people walking along the footpaths then there’s all that passive supervision and the individuals or small groups do not feel emboldened to do such things in the bigger communities.
Colin:
Well, the main impetus for environmentalists is to get people out of cars and get people from using fossil fuels. And cycling would work along the, what should we say, augmented footpaths. But then… The argument from the right is always, well, look, these people are going to run people over who are walking, these people on their e-bikes and scooters. And it comes back again to young people who are all thugs and things. How are you going to bring a breath of reason to the scare tactics that are bound to be thrown at you when you come up with an environmental solution?
Kate:
Well, it’s a community solution, Colin. It’s a community solution. It’s a health issue, it’s a public health solution. Again, people who are active in that natural environment are healthier, they’re better connected. My children are not going to ride too fast down a shared pathway if they know their grandmother or some other village grandma is going to be on the street knowing them and watching them and reminding, reporting back to me that
You know, those kids are driving too fast. You know, if you’re in a connected community, you’ve got respect, you’ve got mutual respect for all generations and it becomes a non-issue. But if you want to sit on your keyboard and play to the fear, well, go right ahead. But that’s not where the real world actually is. And I think we really need to be mindful of that.
Okay, now look, a couple of final little bits because I’m aware that I’m dominating the questions. You’re up against a couple of extra things in Geelong and Corangamite on the peninsula. Number one is that the media is dominated by the Geelong Advertiser, which is Murdoch, which means that you’re going to get minimal publicity and they’re going to press very hard for the liberals. Number two is that the radio really is apolitical. The local radio I’m talking about, which is The Pulse and Bay FM and K-Rock. They really, if they take any position at all, it’s usually following whatever the Addi is doing, which is Murdoch again. So it’s difficult to get your point across. Have you got a team of volunteers who can go and door knock?
Kate: (at 38:53)
Well that’s the point isn’t it of the Community Independents. We are grassroots, we’re a grassroots organisation that is well connected into local communities and I applied this strategy when I ran in North Bellarine. I didn’t go into cafes or into local public meetings without taking a trusted local that knew the community, that had a good community record, introduce, navigate and inform me of what the local issues were. And it’s a classic, it’s just like Welcome to Country. You don’t really just go into a pub alone. You don’t really go sit on a cafe and try and talk to people without a trusted local.
And so I applied that same cultural strategy in the local campaign and I will do it again in the federal campaign. And that’s why this wave of Community Independents is so effective because it can tap into the community minded people that can tap into community minded people who are natural connectors and natural doers and sharers and communicators and interested in lifting people up. It’s… That’s where my magic power is.
Tony:
Kate, on that front, there are listeners today who would like to become volunteers to help you get in. What’s the avenue for them?
Kate:
It’s really simple. KateLockhart.au. If you type that in, it’ll come on to my campaign page and you can volunteer directly there. You could also type in Voices of Corangamite and there’s an opportunity on both pages to donate and sign up. They’re the two simplest ways.
Colin:
Have you got a young person to grab social media?
Kate:
Come on, Colin, I’m young!
Colin:
What is your job?
Kate:
I’m an agricultural scientist, a natural resource manager, so I’ve worked privately for myself as a subcontractor to Bellarine Landcare and Corangamite CMA. And I’ve also worked as a consultant for local businesses like CPG and SKM and long-time primary carer as well. So these have all been part-time roles.
Colin:
We were talking about social media and that you’re a young person…
Kate:
Well, I certainly am getting much better, but I would appreciate some younger input for sure because they’re the future, right? Like I think there’s plenty of articulate, intelligent, politically aware people and I certainly would like to hear from them. Can I just add a note about what the meaning of Corangamite actually is?
Colin:
Please do.
Kate:
So, Corangamite actually is a Colijon word, of the Colijon clan, it’s an indigenous word is “Koriayn”, which is the name for the Lake Corangamite. And it refers to the waters of Lake Corangamite being “salty or bitter”. So I think that’s interesting that we’re flying under another indigenous word, which I’m really proud of as well.
Colin:
Geelong is quite rich in indigenous words. You know, there are some places which are all named after European people or places, but Geelong has many indigenous ones. ‘Geelong’ itself is indigenous, ‘Bellarine’ is indigenous, ‘Moolap’ is indigenous. Funny when you get to Queenscliff, again, where you’re talking about Queen Victoria…
Kate:
Well, that’s right. And names are important, aren’t they? I thinks so. And so I was interested to find it… I suspected that it would be something related to Lake Corangamite, but I was interested to know what it was. And on that note, ‘Drysdale’ is in fact named after an independent, free-spirited woman: Anne Drysdale, and her partner, Caroline Newcomb. They were instrumental in the establishment of the local community of Drysdale and it’s not without consequences, it’s not… we all appreciate that it wasn’t vacant land by any means, but I think it is of note that a non-Indigenous name like Drysdale actually is after an independent woman of the 1840s and that’s something I’m also really proud of. And it sits alongside running for Corangamite and previously for Murradoc. And I think that it’s a complex history, you know, we need to address it honestly to move forward more rapidly.
Colin:
That certainly would be useful in the environs of Drysdale itself – to get people involved: ‘Your town is named after an independent woman, now you’ve got another independent woman to vote for.’
Kate:
Yeah, thank you.
Colin:
You work in Newcomb as well, which is part of Corangamite, is it?
Kate:
Yes, the boundaries – I think the boundary is Coppard Road. So Moolap is in Corangamite.
Colin:
Well, Moolap is the Wadawurrung word which means ‘It’s a good place to take your son fishing’.
Kate:
Well, and Bellarine means ‘It’s a nice place to rest and have a chat by the fire’.
Colin:
Yeah!
Kate:
So conversations are important, and Barongarook, the library here in Drysdale, is the Indigenous name for Drysdale, and I think it’s fabulous that we’ve got a circular library in the centre of the crossroads of the meeting place in the centre of Drysdale, again: to facilitate conversation and community.
. . .
SONG
‘Rising Voices’
A song for Voices of Corangamite
[Verse 1]
They told us this is how it’s always been,
That power belongs to the few, not to us, not to them.
But we’re standing up, we know what’s right,
This election, we’re ready to fight.
[Pre-Chorus]
We’re not bought, we’re not sold,
We stand for truth, for stories untold.
No more lies, no more games,
We’re bringing real change.
[Chorus]
We are the voices – rising strong,
Speaking truth, righting wrongs.
No more whispers, no more fear,
We are the voices – loud and clear.
[Verse 2]
Integrity’s not just a word to say,
It’s how we lead, it’s how we stay.
No backroom deals, no hidden ties,
Just honest hands and open eyes.
[Pre-Chorus]
Respect for all, dignity too,
A Parliament that fights for you.
No culture wars, no divide,
Just a future we can build with pride.
[Chorus]
We are the voices – rising strong,
Speaking truth, righting wrongs.
No more whispers, no more fear,
We are the voices – loud and clear.
[Bridge – Action Mode]
No gas in the Otways, no nuclear lies,
No drilling, no burning – it’s time to rise!
Fairness and climate, a future to share,
This is our moment – we know that we care!
[Final Chorus – Community Power]
We are the voices – standing tall,
For a future fair for all.
No more waiting, time is now,
We are the voices – hear us loud!
. . .
Excerpt from Dr Sophie Scamps’ ‘My speech on the Community Independent Movement’:
This powerful and positive movement, the Community Independents movement has reinvigorated democracy in this country.
Zoe Daniel, Press Club Speech – excerpts:
Business is ready.
Forcing accountability.
Taking action.
Procecuting amendments.
Telling lies – and they keep on coming.
I say to our young people
Let’s go!
The Independents are here for you.
We commit to renewable energy transition.
Ordinary Australians have been feeling cut out and shut out of their democracy.
Instead they want someone who will listen and genuinely represent the views and values of their community.
Build the momentum in the House. Business is ready. I’m inviting you to rise to this moment too. It’s clear, the old way of doing things is done.
Sir David Attenborough:
It’s gonna happen.
. . .
Colin: (at 48:41)
It’s been a pleasure, Kate. It’s been very nice to meet you. I feel like I know much more. I know you better. Let’s put it that way. You’re not just a name anymore.
Kate:
Thank you, Colin. Thanks for your inquiry and to you too, Tony. It’s lovely to be here.
Tony:
Hey, Kate, just imagine, ask you now to imagine that you’ve got one minute on, say, on national television. How would you use that minute in terms of your campaign?
Kate:
Well, Tony, I would say something like: Come ride the Independent Wave with us in Corangamite. We need greater integrity and transparency in all levels of Australian politics. A vote for me as a Community Independent means that I will listen to what our community needs are, do the work to establish the facts, and make good decisions to improve equity for all, drive down the cost of living, and take action on climate change.
Tony:
That would do it.
Colin:
That’s good, Kate. A bit wordy. I think you were better off with: ‘Independent Scientist. Mother.’
Kate:
Maybe I’ll get another sentence to put that in.
Tony:
Colin, are you shooting for… spruiking for the campaign manager’s position?
Kate:
I think he is!
Colin:
No, I’m about as apolitical as you can get. I have the… – this is as a complete aside – I have the distinction of having been approached by three parties in the past to stand at all levels of Parliament. I think mostly for the local government but they’ve always turned it down. I’m much too thin-skinned. You’re going to need really thick skin when you get in, Kate.
Kate:
Well, Colin, so this is where I need to remind you that for a long time I regarded my godparents – or my earth parents, because I’m not really into God – as Glenda and Adrian Verinder.
Colin:
Yes, of course. Look, I’ve got a lot of time for both of those, we know!
Kate:
So, and my father was heavily involved in young farmers. So we learned to debate at a very young age. So, I feel like – as a good country girl with a couple of older brothers and a lifetime of, know, overt and covert, gender disparity, I’m going to…
Colin:
If you’re a friend of Adrian Varinder, then you’ll know all about the environment. I mean, he’s a great environmentalist. He was right 30 years before everybody else.
Kate:
Yeah, and actually she’s done some extraordinary work on public health and climate impacts as well.
Tony:
Yes, and Kate, maybe the other side of that is if you are getting attacked, it’s a sign that it’s working. What you’re doing is working.
Kate:
Well, yeah, you know, especially on social media. If someone’s calling you…, I don’t even know what “woke” really means. You know that they’re just stabbing in the dark. So I just have come to a point of going, ‘Well, what is your postcode? What do you stand for? And who have you volunteered for recently?’ Tell me those three things and then we’ll have a conversation.
Tony:
Keyboard warriors
Kate:
I think you did warriors a disservice by putting them in the same sentence, but yeah, I understand.
Jingle
Mik: (at 52:13)
That’s all we could fit in this particular… what should we call it? Community Independent Sustainable Hour. A lot of talk about politics today, not so much about sustainability, environment and so on – Kate, which you also of course know a lot about. We have talked about that. Also, we heard you two weeks ago talking on the occasion of the International Women’s Day about these topics – about climate and so on. So we could refer people who wanna know you better to that whole hour of talk as well. Also, you talked at that time a lot about gender equity.
We are going to… not just to talk with the Community Independent candidate, but of course with a range of candidates who are running in Corangamite in the next weeks, and possibly the next two months, because we don’t know yet when the election date is. But for now, we always end with a ‘Be something’, ‘Be the difference…’ What would be your ‘Be…’ today, Kate?
Kate:
I think mine would be ‘Be informed’.
Colin:
Be aware!
Kate: (at 53:21)
I’m happy to Be the difference. I really want people to be informed.
. . .
SONG
‘I Heard It On The Sustainable Hour’
Produced for The Sustainable Hour by Mik Aidt
[Verse 1]
I woke up feeling like the world’s on fire,
Storms are rising, rivers running drier.
But then I tuned in, turned the dial,
And found a reason to stay inspired.
[Pre-Chorus]
They said, “The greatest threat is thinking someone else will do it.”
But I can feel the change – I know we’re moving through it.
[Chorus]
I heard it on The Sustainable Hour
Hope’s alive, and the time is now.
Stand up, speak out, let’s build our power,
Be the difference – we know how.
[Verse 2]
They talk of profits, pipelines, and delay,
But we’ve got voices that won’t fade away.
From city streets to the coastal sand,
We’re backing leaders who take a stand.
[Pre-Chorus]
They said, “A society grows great when we plant trees
in whose shade we may never sit.”
So let’s rise up, this is it.
[Chorus]
I heard it on The Sustainable Hour
Hope’s alive, and the time is now.
Stand up, speak out, let’s build our power,
Be the difference – we know how.
[Bridge – “I” to “We”]
We are the voices, we are the wave,
Lifting each other, brave and unafraid.
It’s not too late, don’t wait for someday,
Together we’ll light the way.
[Final Chorus – Empowerment Mode]
We heard it on The Sustainable Hour –
Hope’s alive, and the time is now.
Rise up, reach out, this is our power,
Be the difference – we know how!
Arnold Swartzenegger:
You can do it!
Sir David Attenborough:
A new industrial revoloution powered by millions of sustainable innovations is essential!
MacKenzie King, former Canadian Prime Minister:
Unite in a national effort to save from destruction all that makes life itself worth living.
Jingle:
Language warning. The following segment contains strong language that some listeners may find offensive.
Juice Media: ‘Honest Government Ad – Minority Government’ (at 56:24)
Hello. I’m from the Australien Government.
And I’m from the opposition.
And we are here to warn you that if you vote for minor parties and independents this election, you could end up with… A MINORITY GOVERNMENT!
And we’re here to tell you why that’s a very very bad thing.
For us.
A minority government from the Latin Minimus Cupernatio, meaning ‘less bullshit’, happens when voters are smart enough to not give any one party complete control of government. Which means instead of being able to ram through whatever shit legislation we’ve promised Tassel or Santos, we’ll need the support of other MPs you elect. Sometimes we’ll have to work with minor parties, sometimes with independents, and sometimes with the opposition. If we’re not being total dickheads that day.
In other words, we’ll be forced to… share power!
And we fucking hate that. Which is why we’re trying to scare you away from minor parties and independents by telling you… “Minority governments cause chaos and instability!”
Remember the time we went into minority government a few years ago? No, because you probably didn’t even notice it. These states and territories have a minority government right now. As do all of these countries, and yet they all still exist.
Here in New Zealand, we haven’t had a single party government for decades and we still exist, even if everyone forgets we do.
And here in Denmark, we’ve had a minority government since 1909, yet somehow have world-class healthcare, education and rank as one of the world’s happiest countries.
Fine. So they’re pretty stable. But…
“Minority governments can’t get anything done!”
And yet this one passed more legislation than any other Australian government. And that’s because by having to work with these guys in the lower house, Julia also got their support in the Senate, where bills must pass to become law. So she didn’t get so much done in spite of the minority government, but because of it.
Whatever. Still not as good as a majority Coalition government. Of course, when you think of it, the coalition is literally two parties sharing power, which means this was technically a minority government. And this one, and this one, and this one too.
So you’re saying minority governments do work?
Only when we do it, honey!
Because when these nutters hold us to ransom by demanding $20 billion for dams in exchange for their support, that’s a stable government.
But when we negotiate with these guys, it’s chaos and instability.
Baka no!
The truth is, minority governments do cause chaos: For us, who have to share power and negotiate. For lobbyists, who won’t be able to influence us as easily since power will be shared across parliament and for journalists who have to make more than two phone calls to do their job.
For everyone else it’s just democracy working as intended – where politicians have to earn their fat paychecks by talking to each other.
So if you’re sick of majority governments passing shit bills for our mates and sick of us constantly teaming up to ignore the things you want like public hearings for the NAC, a ban on gambling ads, an inquiry into AUKUS, or whistleblower protection authority, truth in political advertising laws, lifting job seeker above poverty levels, making these motherfuckers pay their fair share of tax, ending native forest logging, and climate action that isn’t bullshit, then you might want to force us into a minority government at this election.
Except this minority government wears shit, no matter what.
Authorised by the Department for the Prevention of Chaos due to too much Democracy.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Events we have talked about in The Sustainable Hour
Events in Victoria
The following is a collation of Victorian climate change events, activities, seminars, exhibitions, meetings and protests. Most are free, many ask for RSVP (which lets the organising group know how many to expect), some ask for donations to cover expenses, and a few require registration and fees. This calendar is provided as a free service by volunteers of the Victorian Climate Action Network. Information is as accurate as possible, but changes may occur.
Petitions
→ List of running petitions where we encourage you to add your name
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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REENERGISING DEMOCRACY: MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT → Listen: climatesafety.info/wp-content/u… → Notes: climatesafety.info/thesustainab… Our guest in #TheSustainableHour 540 is Kate Lockhart, who recently announced her candidacy as the #CommunityIndependent for #Corangamite in the upcoming election.
— The Sustainable Hour (@thesustainablehour.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
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