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| Citizens Not Politicians | |
|---|---|
| Name | Citizens Not Politicians |
| Type | Political reform advocacy group |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Joel McKerrow |
| Location | New South Wales, Australia |
| Area served | New South Wales |
| Focus | Electoral reform, redistricting, anti-gerrymandering |
Citizens Not Politicians is an Australian political advocacy organization founded in 2019 that campaigned for independent redistricting and electoral reform in New South Wales. The group became prominent during the 2019–2021 period through a high-profile citizens' initiative that sought to change how electoral boundaries were drawn, engaging with parliamentary procedures, public petitions, and judicial review. Its activities intersected with notable political figures, electoral commissions, and civil society actors.
Citizens Not Politicians emerged amid wider debates involving Electoral reform in Australia, New South Wales Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament, Independent Commission Against Corruption, and reactions to redistributions handled by the New South Wales Electoral Commission. Founders and early organizers drew inspiration from reform movements associated with Gerry Adams, Grover Norquist, Tony Blair, Joshua Wong, and civic campaigns like those around the Australian Labor Party and Liberal Party of Australia preselection disputes. The initiative formed networks with groups active in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional constituencies affected by redistributions, invoking precedents such as the Electoral Act reforms and inquiries led by parliamentary committees including the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.
The group's stated objectives included establishing an independent redistricting body modeled on international examples like the United Kingdom, Canada, and United States state commissions, aiming to reduce partisan influence attributed to gerrymandering practices observed in jurisdictions such as United States congressional and state-level controversies. They advocated for binding rules on apportionment tied to laws like the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and procedural safeguards resembling recommendations from the Australian Electoral Commission and standards discussed in reports by the United Nations and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Policy goals targeted legislative change within the New South Wales Parliament, promoting transparency similar to reforms championed in cases connected to the High Court of Australia and comparative litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Campaign tactics included citizen-initiated referenda advocacy, public rallies in locations such as Martin Place, door-knocking in electorates including Wollongong, and submission of evidence to inquiries like the Legislative Council committee hearings. They organized petitions modeled on successful drives linked to movements around Same-sex marriage in Australia, engaged legal counsel to consider challenges referencing cases like Re Day (No 2) and the Roosevelt Institute-style investigations, and coordinated with reform advocates who previously worked with figures such as Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, John Howard, and Bob Hawke on transparency issues. Media outreach involved appearances tied to outlets headquartered in Sydney, commentary intersecting with reporting from political journalists who have covered scandals like ICAC investigations and redistributions affecting MPs from the National Party of Australia and Australian Greens.
The organization operated as a grassroots network with volunteer chapters in metropolitan and regional centers, drawing activists with backgrounds connected to labor movements such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions and community organizers who had participated in campaigns alongside figures like Clive Palmer opponents or Paul Keating-era reforms. Leadership roles were held by founding conveners collaborating with policy advisers experienced in electoral law, some of whom had previously worked with legal teams in matters before the Federal Court of Australia or at state legal services. Membership included local councilors, university academics from institutions such as the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and advocates from civil society organizations comparable to GetUp! and Australian Progress.
Campaign outcomes included prompting legislative debate within the New South Wales Legislative Council and influencing amendment proposals presented to the New South Wales Electoral Commission. The pressure exerted contributed to policy proposals debated by ministers formerly associated with cabinets of Gladys Berejiklian and engagement from opposition figures like leaders of the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch). In several electorates the campaign shifted public attention during redistributions, producing electoral contests that involved candidates from the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division), National Party of Australia (NSW), Australian Labor Party, and independents who had previously contested under banners including Nick Xenophon-aligned tickets.
Critics accused the group of partisanship, alleging indirect coordination with political actors and fundraising methods comparable to controversies seen in campaigns linked to Donor transparency debates and inquiries similar to those involving Electoral funding disputes. Opponents invoked comparisons to high-profile disputes such as the 2016 Australian federal election funding controversies, complaints lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission, and scrutiny akin to investigations carried out by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Legal challenges and media criticism referenced precedents in judicial review and public interest litigation seen in cases involving the High Court of Australia and controversies tied to reforms championed by or resisted by figures like Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison.
Category:Political advocacy groups in Australia