“Taking on an election as a candidate deserves recognition. Candidates who manage to gain more than 50 first preference votes are doing very well, whether they are in a party or not,” writes political columnist MICHAEL MOORE.

Being cynical about politics is easy. However, the highest number of candidates ever standing for election in the ACT is a testament to the vibrancy of our local democracy. 

Credit goes to each and every one of the candidates who have been prepared to stand up for what they believe.

This is such a different range of candidates from the first self-government election in 1989 which featured some of Emile Brunoro’s notorious political parties such as the Surprise Party, the Party! Party! Party! and, of course, the Sun-Ripened Warm Tomato Party. 

To his credit, Emile was engaging in the political process by registering his six parties and touching an important sentiment of the time.

Interestingly, I have a recollection of chatting to Surprise Party candidate Amanda Call at a public election function. Although getting involved originally to poke fun at the process, she had started to engage seriously in the election process.

Taking on an election as a candidate deserves recognition. Candidates who manage to gain more than 50 first preference votes are doing very well, whether they are in a party or not. 

Using 50 friends as a starting point is pretty good. Most of us then have a much wider group of acquaintances. Friends and acquaintances often have different political stances and do not necessarily agree with our politics.

As building trust is the starting point for people seeking election, getting around 50 votes is a credit. When someone puts up their hand to be a candidate, the driving force is usually to make a difference, to improve our community. This is commendable!

Candidates often stand to improve the chances of a colleague getting elected in the hope that preferences will flow to that person. This is also admirable. An example from this election is David Pollard who is making a third attempt in Yerrabi. He did very well at the last election. This election, while running with the Independents for Canberra, he was supported by Trent Pollard.

The highest number of candidates standing since self-government! The wide range of political perspectives including Animal Justice, First Nation and Libertarian parties, have provided a real choice for voters. Fortunately, thanks to the preferential system of voting – such candidates do not disadvantage stronger candidates as happens in “first-past-the-post” systems such as those used in the UK and the US. 

In the ACT we have the quite complex Hare-Clark for our electoral system. It is a proportional system and delivers more closely than any other electoral system the widest range of voters’ intentions. 

The other election on the horizon in Australia is in Queensland. They do have preferential voting. However, with a lack of proportional representation, they do tend to have wide swings from one party to the other.

Extremist elements are having a negative impact on democracies throughout the world. Populist candidates and parties are fuelled by the need to bring people out to vote. Extreme positions on the left and right of the political spectrum appeal to people who are disenfranchised, angry and disgruntled. These are people who will come out to vote. 

In Australia we are blessed with compulsory voting – which tends to encourage debates on policy around the better outcomes for the community rather than just the populist one liners.

The other notable election is between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. If a right-leaning candidate runs as an independent in the US, their votes undermine the prime candidate. 

This is why Robert Kennedy Jr has dropped out of the election. His appeal to the anti-vaxxers and other right-wing minorities would mean the votes going to him would be exhausted immediately and reduce the chances of Trump being elected.

Australians, and Canberrans in particular, can count ourselves lucky to have such sophisticated electoral systems. Compulsory and preferential voting, along with independent electoral commissions in all jurisdictions, have ensured that our democracy remains lively and effective in delivering the best possible outcome for the vast majority of voters.

However, none of this vibrancy would be possible without candidates putting their hands up to stand for election. No matter what their perspectives, the community should give a big thank you to all the candidates. 

Michael Moore is a former member of the ACT Legislative Assembly and an independent minister for health. He has been a political columnist with “CityNews” since 2006.