Voices for Groom look to make an impact at federal election
Formed just five months ago, Voices for Groom now boast more than 200 members and will be looking to make their mark at the next federal election.
Toowoomba
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Toowoomba’s newest grassroots political action group is hoping to shake up the local race at the next federal election, with hundreds already signing up.
Formed just five months ago, Voices of Groom now has more than 200 members and interested people involved in the group.
The newly-incorporated organisation, which is part of the wider Voices movement, is focused on advocating for key issues it has surveyed residents on over several months.
It’s other stated goal is to make the federal seat of Groom, which encompasses Toowoomba, a marginal seat to ensure the region doesn’t miss out on key funding.
Groom is currently a safe conservative seat for the LNP.
Following on from the success of Voices for Indi, which flipped a safe Victorian seat for an independent, co-founder Suzie Holt said the group wanted to focus on “kitchen table conversations” about the issues its members said mattered.
She said those issues included climate change, environmental conservation, harnessing on key industries in health and agriculture and unemployment.
“We did an initial survey online, and we were overwhelmed by the responses — without much publicity, it’s been word of mouth,” Ms Holt said.
“Because we’re nonpartisan, we’ve just gone out and talked to people from across the spectrum.
“The people who founded Voices for Indi said we are the fastest-moving, most progressive group out there (in the movement).
“We’ve been able to engage with Greens, Labor and Liberal voters — we’ve got a broad church.
“We’ve created a space where people from the left to the right agree on common values.”
Ms Holt said the group would continue to grow ahead of the election, when it would interview all candidates based on the agenda gathered from members.
She said the group was not yet sure if it would endorse a candidate at the election.
“It’s important we are nonpartisan,” Ms Holt said.
Groom MP Garth Hamilton confirmed he had met with the group.
For more information about Voices of Groom’s agenda, head to the website at
voicesofgroom.com.au.
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