Today we continue the new series Vignettes from the Source, featuring some of the unforgettable, transformative moments my guests have shared over the years. This one is from a little over three years ago. It’s the first and last six minutes or so, bridged together, of my very first conversation with Kate Chaney. Kate was to become, just a few months later, the seventh new community independent – and WA's first – elected to Australia’s parliament at the 2022 election.

Well, on Saturday week, 3 May, Australia’s next federal election takes place, and Kate is standing again, amongst all able incumbents, and many others. We heard on last week’s episode of the continued burgeoning community independents movement, along with the escalated personal assaults, generally negative and often false campaigning being waged against them. Kate was mentioned as being particularly targeted.

It made me think of this first time Kate and I spoke, by Galup/Lake Monger in Perth, partly for the start, where she described her gut-churning time deciding whether she’d step up into this maelstrom in response to the community’s call. And partly for the end, where I asked about her vision for the country, and if she had a rallying cry of sorts for us. Her answer feels all the more poignant now, given how many more independents are standing this time. I’ve also never forgotten Kate’s story behind her music choice to close. I offer my suggestion for her too.

Listen to our conversation in full in episode 110, again after she won in episode 121, and most recently on some of the enormous outcomes during her term in episode 203.

To get involved, visit the Community Independents Project.

Chapter markers & transcript.

Originally recorded 22 February 2022.

Music:

Intro music by Jeremiah Johnson.

Stones & Bones, by Owls of the Swamp.

Regeneration, by Amelia Barden.

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