I’ll fight for Indi, not party politics: Haines

By Contributed

Mar 31, 2025

Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines said if re-elected she would fight for her constituents, not be a party room. Photo by Greg Stoodley

With the date of the 2025 Federal Election now locked in, Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has released this statement.

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I’m fighting for Indi and with the federal election called for May 3 I am asking the people of this region to back me in as their independent member of parliament.

While the major parties play politics, I’m always working for Indi.

There’s no big party telling me how to vote, or telling me I can’t fight for something because it’s not on their list. We set our own priorities right here in Indi, and I’ll keep fighting for a fair deal for us and for regional Australia.

At a time when people feel powerless in the face of global uncertainty, we are showing how being independent works for Indi.

Community leadership works. It delivers. And it is needed now more than ever.

I’ve got a strong track record and worked across party lines and with governments of both stripes.

Whether that’s been fighting for stranded communities during the pandemic, relief for communities impacted by bushfires, shaping the national agenda with housing solutions and securing a National Anti-Corruption Commission, I’ve had local impact and national influence.

And while the big parties might want to wish independents away and try to discredit us, more and more people are sick of the major parties and their self-interest.

My pledge to Indi is clear — I’ll keep fighting for you.

I’ll keep fighting for the hospital we need and deserve on the border, even when others tell us it’s too hard and we should give up.

I’ll keep working for the infrastructure our towns need to unlock new housing and improve health services, for access to childcare and better telecommunications.

I’ll keep working to make the government more accountable and transparent, to restore integrity and stamp out corruption.

Because we share a vision of what Indi is and could be. A vision where living in regional Australia means you get a fair share of funding. Where our healthcare, our education opportunities, our connectivity, our roads and infrastructure support us to thrive and excel.

A place where we are involved and active in our democracy. A place where we have a strong voice and where decisions are made in our best interests, not vested interests.

That’s why being independent works for Indi.

- Dr Helen Haines