Peter Strong for Kurrajong 

IT’S TIME FOR STRONG INDEPENDENTS IN OUR TERRITORY’S ASSEMBLY.

Canberra is a great city with great people and enormous potential. Canberra performs well in many

sectors but can do better and should excel in education, in provision of health services, and in attracting

diverse business investments.

Canberra’s government has lost its way, it has been in power too long. One reason is that the Liberal

opposition is not yet worthy of holding government given the extremes within that party.

We - Peter Strong and Ann Bray – have had a long hard think about what needs to be done. We both

agreed that we need quality independents who understand good government and excellence in policy.

We thought we would do more than talk about it and will be nominating as candidates at the ACT

election in October this year.

23 years is too long for a party to be in power. It can become lazy, and complacent. Bad habits become

entrenched. A sense of privilege can pervade the halls of power. A belief that ‘the Libs will never win and

therefore we are safe to do what we want’ exists.

Ms Bray says “We have never seen such an upswell of concern and a groundswell for change. We want to

be part of it”.

Mr Strong stated ”Labor needs some time out. The Liberals aren’t a good alternative. It does not bode

well for good government to have a weak opposition. A strong cross bench will result in better

government”.

We know that independents have not been able to get into the Assembly since the 1998 election. The

Hare-Clark voting system in the ACT makes it very difficult for independents to be elected. We believe

that just as we have seen in the Federal parliament, there is a place for independents in the ACT

Assembly as well. Strong knowledgeable independents.

Ms Bray and Mr Strong stated “We will be running as we are concerned about good government. We will

be analytical and evidence-based in our thinking and decision-making. We will consult widely. And we

will be honest and ethical in our dealings. We don’t have vested interests.”

Peter is a known public figure featuring regularly on national media and was CEO of the Council of Small

Business Organisations Australia for over 11 years. He was also once owned Smiths Alternative Bookshop

in Civic which has morphed into a well-known entertainment venue.

Ann was a trained medical scientist and has worked in the private sector and Commonwealth Public

Service for 35 years most recently as an Australian diplomat in Washington DC. She too has been a small

business owner.

Over the next ten months you will hear from us – Vote for Peter Strong and Ann Bray. Otherwise please

do vote for a worthy Independent. We need at least four independents to ensure minority government

forces those in power to think outside the ever-shrinking square of power.

Our message? Professional transparent government administration. Genuine consultation. Evidence

based decision-making. Open transparent communications. We will meet the needs of the majority of

Canberrans, and those doing it tough.

We want to hear from you. We would love to talk to your community group, business, association, book

club, community garden, netball team or bridge club - any group of people who want better

government.

Authorised by Peter Strong AM and Ann Bray, prospective candidates for ACT Legislative Assembly