State Election 2023: Independents reveal their wishlists if major parties need their support

With the prospect of a close state election looming, the independents may be needed for either side to form government. Here’s what they will be asking for in return for their support.

Cashless gaming in pubs and clubs, reversing a plan to bulldoze bushland to make way for hundreds of homes, and lifting academic standards in the bush will have to occur if the Coalition or Labor require the support of independents to form government.

Integrity and stopping the “grant rorts” also feature highly on the list of demands that the independents will bring to the table if the major parties are forced to negotiate to obtain the necessary 47 seats to govern.

Popular Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan, who has the Liberals in a sweat after nominating as an independent for the seat of Wakehurst, held by outgoing Health Minister Brad Hazzard, has put the highly controversial Lizard Rock development on his list of demands.

Thousands of locals have been petitioning against plans to raze 45 football fields of natural bushland for 450 homes at Lizard Rock near Belrose after the state government progressed the development proposal to the next stage two days before Christmas.

The proposal has been put up by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, after successfully claiming native title on Crown land.

Independent candidates Jacqui Scruby (l to r), Phil Donato, Helen Conway and Gareth Ward.

Mr Regan said he will support whichever party commits to stopping “overdevelopment at Lizard Rock”.

His support will also be contingent on which party will put in place measures to protect endangered koala habitats “because clearly the current policy is not working”.

While former Liberal minister Gareth Ward, who is contesting his seat of Kiama as an independent as he fights historical sexual assault charges, which he strongly denies, is likely to favour the Coalition, it is understood he is open to negotiating.

His list of demands includes a Nowra bypass, two new schools and a plan to reduce the cost of living locally, including for self-funded retirees.

Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich said it was likely he would work as a bloc with fellow independents Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr and Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper in negotiating with the parties.

Mr Greenwich said cashless gaming technology would be a key condition of their support in the event of a hung parliament.

Independents Roy Butler (l to r), Helen Dalton, Michael Regan and Alex Greenwich.

Independent Barwon MP Roy Butler, who until recently was a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, said he was also open to negotiations with both the major parties.

He cited improvements in local health services to lift life expectancy levels, greater housing options and the lifting of academic standards as three issues that he would bring to the table.

Independent Orange MP Phil Donato, who recently quit the Shooters, said he would be open to backing Labor or the Coalition, depending on who would best deliver his three priorities, including raising Wyangala dam wall.

He said this was “previously promised by this government back in 2020, but so far failed to deliver for flood mitigation in the Lachlan Valley — that is, Forbes and lower downstream towns — as well as providing additional water security for irrigation and drier times”.

“Teal” independent Jacqui Scruby, who is vying for the blue-ribbon seat of Pittwater against Liberal candidate Rory Amon, said she would be open to negotiating with either party, but wanted to see more ambitious plans to reform pokies and “stop the gambling lobby’s influence”.

Independent Murray MP Helen Dalton wants the controversial flood plain harvesting regulation — that was introduced by the Nationals for the fifth time last week despite parliament disallowing it four times — scrapped.

North Shore independent candidate Helen Conway — who is hoping to unseat Liberal MP Felicity Wilson — wants to “end the pork and end the rorts”.

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