Independent politicians in Australia

An independent or nonpartisan politician is an individual politician not affiliated to any political party. There are numerous reasons why someone may stand for office as an independent.

Federal

Independents have rarely been elected to the federal Parliament of Australia, although they are more commonly elected to state parliaments. A large number of independents are former members of one of Australia's main parties, the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia. On 16 July 2013 a political party named the Australian Independents was registered with the Australian Electoral Commission.[1]

Currently, two independents sit in the Australian House of Representatives, Andrew Wilkie from Denison in Tasmania (former Greens candidate) and Cathy McGowan from Indi in Victoria.

Independent Senators are quite rare. In modern politics, independent Brian Harradine served from 1975 to 2005 with considerable influence at times. Nick Xenophon has been the only elected independent Senator since his election to the Senate at the 2007 federal election. Xenophon was re-elected for another six-year term at the 2013 federal election.[2] DLP Senator John Madigan became an independent Senator in September 2014,[3] while PUP Senators Jacqui Lambie and Glenn Lazarus became independent Senators in November 2014 and March 2015.[4][5]

House of Representatives

Won election as independent

MemberElectorateTermNotes
Alexander Paterson Capricornia, Qld 1901–1903 Independent Free Trade.
James Wilkinson Moreton, Qld 1901–1904 Independent Labour. Joined Labour caucus in 1904.
Sir Frederick Holder South Australia;
Wakefield, SA 		1901–1909 Elected as a Free Trader; became an independent on election as inaugural Speaker.
George Fairbairn Fawkner, Vic 1906–1909 Part of the independent "Corner group". Joined the Liberal Party at the Fusion in 1909.
Sir John Quick Bendigo, Vic 1906–1909 Part of the independent "Corner group"; formerly a Protectionist from 1901 to 1906. Joined the Liberal Party at the Fusion in 1909.
Sydney Sampson Wimmera, Vic 1906–1909 Part of the independent "Corner group". Joined the Liberal Party at the Fusion in 1909.
Agar Wynne Balaclava, Vic 1906–1909 Part of the independent "Corner group". Joined the Liberal Party at the Fusion in 1909.
Sir William Lyne Hume, NSW 1909–1913 A Protectionist who refused to join the Liberal Party at the Fusion of 1909.
George Wise Gippsland, Vic 1909–1913, 1914–1916 A Protectionist who refused to join the Liberal Party at the Fusion of 1909. Joined the Nationalist Party in 1916.
Frederick Francis Henty, Vic 1919–1922 Independent Nationalist. Joined the Nationalist Party in 1922.
William Watson Fremantle, WA 1922–1928 Later held the seat for a term representing the United Australia Party.
Percy Stewart Wimmera, Vic 1925–1926, 1930–1931 Defected from the Country Party; later formed the Country Progressive Party (1926–1930).
William McWilliams Franklin, Tas 1928–1929 Previously served as a Revenue Tariffist, Liberal, Nationalist, and as the first leader of the Country Party.
Billy Hughes North Sydney, NSW 1929–1930 Originally a Labor member and then a Nationalist, resigned to cross the floor to bring down the Bruce Government. Formed the Australian Party in 1930, which merged with the United Australia Party in 1931.
Walter Marks Wentworth, NSW 1929–1930 A Nationalist who crossed the floor to bring down the Bruce Government. Joined the Australian Party in 1930, and then was defeated as a United Australia Party candidate in 1931.
George Maxwell Fawkner, Vic 1929–1930 A Nationalist who crossed the floor to bring down the Bruce Government. Joined the Australian Party in 1930, and then the United Australia Party in 1931.
Sir Littleton Groom Darling Downs, Qld 1929, 1931–1933 As the Nationalist Speaker of the House, refused to use his casting vote to save the Bruce Government. Defeated as an independent in 1929, but re-elected in 1931. Admitted to the United Australia Party in 1933.
Adair Blain Northern Territory 1934–1949 As the member for the Northern Territory, only had the right to vote on matters directly relating to the Territory.
Percy Spender Warringah, NSW 1937–1938 Independent United Australia Party. Defeated the endorsed UAP candidate and joined the party soon afterwards.
Alexander Wilson Wimmera, Vic 1937–1945 Independent Country Party. A member of the United Country Party but sat in parliament as an independent.
Arthur Coles Henty, Vic 1940–1941, 1941–1945 Briefly joined the United Australia Party in 1941.
Doris Blackburn Bourke, Vic 1946–1949 Independent Labor.
Lewis Nott Australian Capital Territory 1949–1951 As the member for the Australian Capital Territory, could only vote on matters directly affecting the Territory. Previously the Nationalist member for Herbert in Queensland from 1925 to 1928.
Sam Benson Batman, Vic 1966–1969 Expelled from the Labor Party for supporting continued Australian involvement in the Vietnam War.
Ted Mack North Sydney, NSW 1990–1996
Phil Cleary Wills, Vic 1992, 1993–1996 Disqualified in 1992.
Peter Andren Calare, NSW 1996–2007
Graeme Campbell Kalgoorlie, WA 1995–1996 Expelled from the Labor Party for supporting Australians Against Further Immigration. Formed the Australia First Party in 1996.
Paul Filing Moore, WA 1996–1998 Lost Liberal preselection and ran as an independent.
Pauline Hanson Oxley, Qld 1996–1997 Disendorsed Liberal. Formed One Nation in 1997.
Allan Rocher Curtin, WA 1996–1998 Lost Liberal preselection and ran as an independent.
Bob Katter Kennedy, Qld 2001–2011 Resigned from the National Party in 2001. Formed Katter's Australian Party in 2011.
Tony Windsor New England, NSW 2001–2013
Rob Oakeshott Lyne, NSW 2008–2013
Andrew Wilkie Denison, Tas 2010–present
Cathy McGowan Indi, Vic 2013–present

Not elected as independent

MemberElectorateTermNotes
Thomas Macdonald-Paterson Brisbane, Qld 1903 Lost Protectionist preselection.
Norman Cameron Wilmot, Tas 1906 Lost Anti-Socialist preselection.
James Ronald Southern Melbourne, Vic 1906 Seat abolished; lost Labor preselection for Melbourne Ports.
David Storrer Bass, Tas 1909–1910 Protectionist who refused to join the Liberal Party at the Fusion of 1909.
Jens Jensen Bass, Tas 1919 Lost Nationalist preselection.
Bruce Smith Parkes, NSW 1919 Lost Nationalist preselection.
William Higgs Capricornia, Qld 1920 Expelled from the Labor Party. Joined the Nationalist Party eight months later.
Alexander Hay New England, NSW 1922 Expelled from the Country Party.
Edward Mann Perth, WA 1929 Nationalist who crossed the floor to defeat the Bruce government.
Maurice Blackburn Bourke, Vic 1937, 1941–1943 Expelled (twice) from the Labor Party.
Thomas Marwick Swan, WA 1943 Lost Country Party preselection.
Max Falstein Watson, NSW 1949 Expelled from the Labor Party.
Charles Russell Maranoa, Qld 1950–1951 Resigned from the Country Party.
Cyril Chambers Adelaide, SA 1957–1958 Expelled from the Labor Party for attacking H. V. Evatt's leadership. Readmitted the following year.
Charles Morgan Reid, NSW 1958 Lost Labor preselection.
Edward St John Warringah, NSW 1969 Resigned from the Liberal Party.
Jeff Bate Macarthur, NSW 1972 Lost Liberal preselection.
Alexander Buchanan McMillan, Vic 1972 Lost Liberal preselection.
John Gorton Higgins, Vic 1975 Resigned from the Liberal Party; contested the Senate in the Australian Capital Territory.
Don Chipp Hotham, Vic 1977 Resigned from the Liberal Party; about three months later, formed the Australian Democrats. Elected to the Senate in 1977.
Bill Wentworth Mackellar, NSW 1977 Resigned from the Liberal Party and contested the Senate.
Keith Wright Capricornia, Qld 1993 Expelled from the Labor Party.
Tony Smith Dickson, Qld 1998 Lost Liberal preselection.
Paul Zammit Lowe, NSW 1998 Resigned from the Liberal Party.
Andrew Theophanous Calwell, Vic 2000–2001 Resigned from the Labor Party.
Peter King Wentworth, NSW 2004 Lost Liberal preselection.
Gavan O'Connor Corio, Vic 2007 Lost Labor preselection.
Harry Quick Franklin, Tas 2007 Expelled from the Labor Party.
Michael Johnson Ryan, Qld 2010 Expelled from the Liberal National Party.
Peter Slipper Fisher, Qld 2011–2013 Resigned from the Liberal National Party on election as Speaker.
Craig Thomson Dobell, NSW 2012–2013 Expelled from the Labor Party.

Senate

Won election or appointed as independent

MemberStateTermNotes
William Trenwith Victoria 1904–1909 Joined the Liberal Party at the Fusion of 1909.
Reg Turnbull Tasmania 1962–1969, 1970–1974 Briefly leader of the Australia Party (1969–1970).
Syd Negus Western Australia 1971–1974
Michael Townley Tasmania 1971–1975, 1987 Joined the Liberal Party in 1975; resigned to sit as an independent again in 1987.
Cleaver Bunton New South Wales 1975 Appointed by the New South Wales Parliament to replace a Labor senator.
Albert Field Queensland 1975 Appointed by the Queensland Parliament to replace a Labor senator.
Brian Harradine Tasmania 1975–2005
Jo Vallentine Western Australia 1985–1990 Resigned from the Nuclear Disarmament Party and re-elected under the "Vallentine Peace Group" ticket. Joined the Greens WA in 1990.
Nick Xenophon South Australia 2008–present

Not elected as independent

MemberStateTermNotes
Thomas Glassey Queensland 1903 Lost Protectionist preselection.
Anderson Dawson Queensland 1906 Announced retirement but then changed mind too late to overturn Labor preselection; contested as independent.
Sir Josiah Symon South Australia 1909–1913 Free Trader who refused to join the Liberal Party at the Fusion of 1909.
Cyril Cameron Tasmania 1913 Lost Liberal preselection.
James Ogden Tasmania 1925–1926 Expelled from the Labor Party. Joined the Nationalist Party in 1926.
Walter Duncan New South Wales 1929–1930 A supporter of Billy Hughes who was excluded from the Nationalist Party along with Hughes and his lower-house colleagues who voted to bring down the Bruce Government. Joined the Australian Party in 1930 and the United Australia Party in 1931.
Robert Elliott Victoria 1934–1935 Lost Country Party preselection.
John Daly South Australia 1934–1935 Expelled from the state Labor party for supporting James Scullin's economic policies.
Tom Arthur New South Wales 1943–1944 Lost Labor preselection.
Thomas Crawford Queensland 1945–1947 United Australia Party senator who was not asked to join the new Liberal Party.
Clive Hannaford South Australia 1967 Resigned from the Liberal Party over the government's support for the Vietnam War.
Reg Wright Tasmania 1978 Resigned from the Liberal Party.
Neville Bonner Queensland 1983 Lost Liberal preselection.
George Georges Queensland 1986–1987 Resigned from the Australian Labor Party.
Don Jessop South Australia 1987 Lost Liberal preselection.
Irina Dunn New South Wales 1988–1990 Appointed by the Nuclear Disarmament Party to fill the vacancy caused by Robert Wood's disqualification, and refused to resign to allow Wood to return to the Senate; subsequently expelled from the NDP. Contested 1990 election under the ticket "Irina Dunn's Environment Independents".
Janet Powell Victoria 1992–1993 Resigned from the Australian Democrats. Contested 1993 election under the ticket "Janet Powell Independents Network".
John Devereux Tasmania 1994–1995 Resigned from the Labor Party.
Noel Crichton-Browne Western Australia 1995–1996 Expelled from the Liberal Party.
Mal Colston Queensland 1996–1999 Resigned from the Labor Party to accept the Liberal Party's nomination as Deputy President of the Senate. Sponsored the registration of the "Queensland First" political party but retired in 1999.
Meg Lees South Australia 2002–2003 Resigned from the Australian Democrats in 2002. Formed the Australian Progressive Alliance in 2003.
Shayne Murphy Tasmania 2002–2005 Resigned from the Labor Party.
John Madigan Victoria 2014–present Resigned from the Democratic Labour Party.
Jacqui Lambie Tasmania 2014–present Resigned from the Palmer United Party.
Glenn Lazarus Queensland 2015–present Resigned from the Palmer United Party.

States and territories

New South Wales

New South Wales Legislative Assembly

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
John Hatton South Coast 1973–1995
Ted Mack North Shore 1981–1988
Frank Arkell Wollongong 1984–1991
Dawn Fraser Balmain 1988–1991
George Keegan Newcastle 1988–1991
Clover Moore Bligh
Sydney 		1988–2012
Robyn Read North Shore 1988–1991
Ivan Welsh Swansea 1988–1991
Peter Macdonald Manly 1991–1999
Tony Windsor Tamworth 1991–2001
David Barr Manly 1999–2007
Tony McGrane Dubbo 1999–2004
Richard Torbay Northern Tablelands 1999–2013
Rob Oakeshott Port Macquarie 2002–2008 Resigned from the National Party in March 2002. Re-elected as an independent in 2003 and 2007. Resigned from parliament in August 2008 to contest the Lyne federal by-election.
Peter Draper Tamworth 2003–2011
Dawn Fardell Tamworth 2004–2011
Alex McTaggart Pittwater 2005–2007
Greg Piper Lake Macquarie 2007–present
Peter Besseling Port Macquarie 2008–2011
Alex Greenwich Sydney 2012–present
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Terry Metherell Davidson 1991–1992 Resigned from the Liberal Party in October 1991. Resigned from parliament in April 1992.
Terry Griffiths Georges River 1994–1995 Resigned from the Liberal Party in October 1994.
Steven Pringle Hawkesbury 2006–2007 Resigned from the Liberal Party in October 2006 after losing preselection for the 2007 election.
Milton Orkopoulos Swansea 2006 Expelled from the Labor Party on 8 November 2006 after being charged with child sex offences. Resigned from parliament under threat of an expulsion vote on 13 November.
Steven Chaytor Macquarie Fields 2007 Expelled from the Labor Party in January 2007.
Bryce Gaudry Newcastle 2007 Resigned from the Labor Party in January 2007 after losing preselection for the 2007 election.
Chris Hartcher Terrigal 2014–2015 Resigned from the Liberal parliamentary party due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Retired in 2015.
Chris Spence The Entrance 2014–2015 Resigned from the Liberal parliamentary party due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Retired in 2015.
Darren Webber Wyong 2014–2015 Resigned from the Liberal parliamentary party due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Retired in 2015.
Andrew Cornwell Charlestown 2014 Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party on 6 August 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Resigned from parliament on 12 August.
Tim Owen Newcastle 2014 Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party on 6 August 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Resigned from parliament on 12 August.
Garry Edwards Swansea 2014–2015 Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party in August 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Recontested the 2015 election as an independent and lost.
Bart Bassett Londonderry 2014–2015 Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party in August 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Retired in 2015.
Craig Baumann Port Stephens 2014–2015 Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party in September 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Retired in 2015.

New South Wales Legislative Council

Not elected as independent
MemberTermNotes
Marie Bignold 1988–1991 Expelled from the Call to Australia Party in November 1988.
Richard Jones 1996–2003 Resigned from the Australian Democrats in March 1996. Did not face re-election in 1999. Retired in 2003.
Franca Arena 1997–1999 Expelled from the Labor Party in November 1997 after her unsubstantiated accusations of pedophilia led to the suicide of a Supreme Court judge.
Helen Sham-Ho 1998–1999 Resigned from the Liberal Party in June 1998.
David Oldfield 2000–2001,
2004–2007 		Expelled from One Nation in October 2000. Founded One Nation NSW in 2001. Resigned from One Nation NSW in December 2004 and served out his term as an independent.
Gordon Moyes 2009 Expelled from the Christian Democratic Party in March 2009. Joined the Family First Party in November 2009.
Eric Roozendaal 2012–2013 Suspended from the Labor Party in November 2012. Resigned from parliament in May 2013.
Marie Ficarra 2014–2015 Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party in April 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations. Retired in 2015.
Mike Gallacher 2014–present Stood aside from the Liberal parliamentary party in May 2014 due to Independent Commission Against Corruption investigations.

Victoria

Victorian Legislative Assembly

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Charlie Mutton Coburg 1940–1956 Expelled from the Labor Party in 1940 after winning the seat as an Independent Labor candidate. Re-elected as an independent until he was readmitted to the Labor Party in 1956.
Bob Suggett Moorabbin 1961–1964 Lost Liberal preselection for the 1961 election. Re-elected as an Independent Liberal. Readmitted to the Liberal Party in 1964.
Jack Mutton Coburg 1967–1979
Russell Savage Mildura 1996–2006
Susan Davies Gippsland West 1997–2002
Craig Ingram Gippsland East 1999–2010
Suzanna Sheed Shepparton 2014–present
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Charles Francis Caulfield 1977–1979 Expelled from the Liberal Party after abstaining on an opposition no-confidence motion.
Doug Jennings Westernport 1977–1979 Expelled from the Liberal Party after abstaining on an opposition no-confidence motion.
Harley Dickinson South Barwon 1992 Resigned from the Liberal Party in May 1992 after losing preselection for the 1992 election.
Peter McLellan Frankston East 1998–1999 Resigned from the Liberal Party in July 1998. Died on the day of the 1999 election while recontesting as an independent.
Geoff Shaw Frankston 2013–2014 Resigned from the Liberal Party in March 2013.

Victorian Legislative Council

Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Percy Feltham Northern Province 1965–1967 Resigned from the Country Party in 1965 over a dispute about the Council presidency.
Alexander Knight Melbourne West Province ?-1979 Lost Labor preselection in 1977 for the 1979 election, and was an independent by that time.
Rod Mackenzie Geelong Province 1987–1992 Resigned from the Labor Party in December 1987. Was not up for re-election in 1988. Formed the Geelong Community Alliance in 1992.
Carolyn Hirsh Silvan Province 2004–2005, 2006 Expelled from the Labor Party in 2004 after being charged with drink-driving offences. Readmitted in 2005, but expelled again in 2006 after further charges were laid.
Dianne Hadden Ballarat Province 2005–2006 Resigned from the Labor Party in April 2005.
Andrew Olexander Silvan Province 2005–2006 Expelled from the Liberal Party in November 2005 following critical comments made after losing preselection due to a drink-driving scandal.

Queensland

Queensland Legislative Assembly

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Ed Casey Mackay 1972–1977 Resigned from the Labor Party in 1972 after losing preselection for the 1972 election, re-elected as an independent in 1972 and 1974, readmitted to the Labor Party in 1977.
Lindsay Hartwig Callide 1981–1986 Expelled from the National Party in 1981. Re-elected as an independent in 1983.
Liz Cunningham Gladstone 1995–2015
Dorothy Pratt Nanango 1999–2012 Resigned from One Nation in February 1999, and was re-elected four times as an independent.
Peter Wellington Nicklin 1998–present
John Kingston Maryborough 1999–2003 Resigned from One Nation in February 1999. Re-elected as an independent in 2001.
Lex Bell Surfers Paradise 2001–2004 Won by-election following resignation of former Premier Borbidge. Defeated at 2004 election.
Elisa Roberts Maryborough 2002–2006 Resigned from One Nation in April 2002. Re-elected as an independent in 2004. Defeated in 2006
Chris Foley Maryborough 2003–2012
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Col Bennett South Brisbane 1972 Lost Labor preselection in 1972 and expelled for running for re-election as an independent.
Merv Thackeray Rockhampton North 1972 Lost Labor preselection in 1972 and expelled for running for re-election as an independent.
Lou Jensen Bundaberg 1977 Resigned from the Labor Party after losing preselection for the 1977 election.
Col Miller Ithaca 1984–1986 Resigned from the Liberal Party in August 1984.
Joe Kruger Murrumba 1986 Resigned from the Labor Party in 1986 after losing preselection for the 1986 election.
Eric Shaw Manly 1988–1989 Resigned from the Labor Party in September 1988 after losing preselection for the 1989 election.
Lin Powell Isis 1989 Resigned from the National Party in June 1989.
Geoff Muntz Whitsunday 1989 Resigned from the National Party in November 1989.
Shaun Nelson Tablelands 1999–2001 Resigned from One Nation in February 1999.
Ken Turner Thuringowa 1999–2001 Resigned from One Nation in February 1999.
Jeff Knuth Burdekin 1999 Resigned from One Nation in February 1999. Founded the Country Party QLD in August 1999.
Jim Elder Capalaba 2000–2001 Resigned from the Labor Party in November 2000 in the wake of the Shepherdson Inquiry
Grant Musgrove Springwood 2000–2001 Resigned from the Labor Party in December 2000 in the wake of the Shepherdson Inquiry.
Mike Kaiser Woodridge 2001 Resigned from the Labor Party in January 2001 in the wake of the Shepherdson Inquiry
Cate Molloy Noosa 2006 Resigned from the Labor Party in August 2006 after losing preselection for the 2006 election
Aidan McLindon Beaudesert 2010 Resigned from the Liberal National Party in May 2010 and sat as an independent until his new party, The Queensland Party, was formally registered in August
Rob Messenger Burnett 2010–2012 Resigned from the Liberal National Party in May 2010. Defeated in 2012.
Alex Douglas Gaven 2012–2013, 2014–2015 Resigned from the Liberal National Party in November 2012 and sat as an independent until joining the Palmer United Party in April 2013. Resigned from the Palmer United Party in August 2014 and again sat as an independent until his defeat in 2015
Carl Judge Yeerongpilly 2012–2013, 2014–2015 Resigned from the Liberal National Party in November 2012 and sat as an independent until joining the Palmer United Party in April 2013. Resigned from the Palmer United Party in October 2014 and again sat as an independent until his defeat in 2015
Scott Driscoll Redcliffe 2013 Suspended from the Liberal National Party in March 2013. Resigned from parliament in November 2013.
Billy Gordon Cook 2015–present Expelled from the Labor Party in March 2015, remains in parliament as an independent.

Western Australia

Western Australian Legislative Assembly

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Phillip Pendal South Perth 1995–2005 Resigned from the Liberal Party in March 1995. Re-elected as an independent in 1997 and 2001. Retired in 2005.
Ernie Bridge Kimberley 1996–2001 Resigned from the Labor Party in July 1996. Re-elected as an independent in 1997. Retired in 2001.
Larry Graham Pilbara 2000–2005 Resigned from the Labor Party in February 2000. Re-elected as an independent in 2001. Retired in 2005.
Liz Constable Floreat
Churchlands 		1991–2013
Janet Woollard Alfred Cove 2001–2013
John Bowler Murchison-Eyre
Kalgoorlie 		2006–2013 Expelled from the Labor Party in February 2006. Re-elected as an independent in 2008. Retired in 2013.
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Bernie Masters Vasse 2004–2005 Resigned from the Liberal Party in February 2004 after losing preselection for the 2005 election.
John D'Orazio Ballajura 2006–2008, 2008 Expelled from the Labor Party in August 2006. Readmitted in April 2008. Resigned from the party in June 2008.
Sue Walker Nedlands 2008 Resigned from the Liberal Party in February 2008.
Dan Sullivan Leschenault 2008 Resigned from the Liberal Party in February 2008. Joined the Family First Party in June.
Bob Kucera Yokine 2008 Resigned from the Labor Party in May 2008 after losing preselection for the 2008 election.
Paul Omodei Warren-Blackwood 2008 Resigned from the Liberal Party in May 2008.
Adele Carles Fremantle 2010–2013 Resigned from the Greens in May 2010.

Western Australian Legislative Council

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Reg Davies North Metropolitan Region 1991–1997 Resigned from the Liberal Party in 1991. Re-elected in 1993. Defeated in 1996. Term expired 1997.
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Sam Piantadosi North Metropolitan Region 1996 Resigned from the Labor Party in April 1996. Resigned from the Legislative Council in November to contest a Legislative Assembly seat at the 1996 election.
Mark Nevill Mining and Pastoral 1999–2001 Resigned from the Labor Party in August 1999.
Tom Helm Mining and Pastoral 2000–2001 Resigned from the Labor Party in July 2000 after losing preselection for the 2001 election.
Alan Cadby North Metropolitan 2004–2005 Resigned from the Liberal Party in June 2004 after losing preselection for the 2005 election.
Paddy Embry South West 2003–2004 Resigned from One Nation in May 2003. Joined the New Country Party in 2004.
Frank Hough Agricultural 2004 Resigned from One Nation in June 2004. Sat as an independent until joining the New Country Party the same year.
John Fischer Mining and Pastoral 2004–2005 Resigned from One Nation in June 2004.
Shelley Archer Mining and Pastoral 2007–2008 Resigned from the Labor Party in November 2007.
Anthony Fels Agricultural 2008 Resigned from the Liberal Party in July 2008. He sat as an independent for a period before recontesting that year's election as a Family First Party candidate.
Max Trenorden Agricultural 2012–2013 Resigned from the National Party in late 2012 after losing preselection for the 2013 election.
Philip Gardiner Agricultural 2012–2013 Resigned from the National Party in late 2012 in protest at Trenorden's preselection loss.

South Australia

Lower house

South Australian Legislative Council

Won election as independent
MemberDistrictTermNotes
Joseph Anderson Central No. 1 1931–1944
Alec Bagot Southern 1938–1941
Frank Halleday Southern 1938–1943
Nick Xenophon South Australia 1997–2007
Ann Bressington South Australia 2006–2014 Elected on an Independent No Pokies ticket.
John Darley South Australia 2007–present Appointed to a casual vacancy following the resignation of Independent No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon. Re-elected on an Independent Nick Xenophon Team ticket in 2014.
Not elected as independent
MemberDistrictTermNotes
James Wilson Central No. 1 1915–1918 Expelled from the United Labor Party in 1915, sat as an independent until joining National Labor in 1917.
Frederick Wallis Central No. 2 1918–1921 Expelled from Australian Labor Party in 1918.
Alfred von Doussa Southern 1921 The Liberal Union refused to accept his preselection nomination for the 1921 election.
Stanley Whitford Central No. 1 1934–1941 Resigned from the Parliamentary Labor Party in March 1934.
Norm Foster South Australia 1982 Resigned from the Labor Party in June 1982 to support the construction of the Olympic Dam.
Terry Cameron South Australia 1998–1999, 2002–2006 Resigned from the Labor Party to support the sale of ETSA in August 1998. Founded the SA First party in March 1999. Disbanded party and returned to sitting as an independent in 2002. Defeated in 2006.
Trevor Crothers South Australia 1999–2002 Resigned from the Labor Party to support the sale of ETSA in June 1999. Defeated in 2002.
David Winderlich South Australia 2009–2010 Resigned from the Australian Democrats in October 2009. Defeated in 2010.
Bernard Finnigan South Australia 2011–2015 Expelled from the Labor Party in May 2011 following his being charged with child pornography offences. Resigned from parliament in 2015.

Tasmania

Upper house

Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Michael Moore Molonglo 1989–2001 Resigned from Residents Rally in October 1989. Re-elected on the "Moore Independents Group" ticket in 1992, 1995 and 1998.
Helen Szuty None 1992–1995 Elected on the "Moore Independents Group" ticket in 1992 and sat as an independent. Defeated in 1995.
Paul Osborne Brindabella 1995–2001 Elected on the "Osborne Independents Group" ticket in 1995 and re-elected in 1998. Defeated in 2001.
Dave Rugendyke Ginninderra 1998–2001 Elected on the "Osborne Independents Group" ticket in 1998. Defeated in 2001.
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Robyn Nolan None 1991 Resigned from the Liberal Party in October 1991. Formed the New Conservative Group in November.
Trevor Kaine Brindabella 1998 Resigned from the Liberal Party in May 1998. Formed the United Canberra Party in July.
Helen Cross Molonglo 2002–2004 Expelled from the Liberal Party in September 2002. Defeated as "Helen Cross Independents" in 2004.
Richard Mulcahy Molonglo 2007–2008 Expelled from the Liberal Party in December 2007. Formed the Richard Mulcahy Canberra Party in August 2008.

Northern Territory

Northern Territory Legislative Assembly

Won election as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Dawn Lawrie Nightcliff 1974–1983
Ron Withnall Port Darwin 1974–1977
Denis Collins Sadadeen
Greatorex 		1986–1994 Lost CLP preselection in 1986 and re-elected as an independent in 1987 and 1990. Defeated in 1994.
Noel Padgham-Purich Koolpinyah
Nelson 		1987–1997 Lost CLP preselection for the 1987 election and re-elected as an independent in 1987, 1990 and 1994
Loraine Braham Braitling 2001–2008 Resigned from the CLP in 2001 after losing preselection, and re-elected as an independent in 2001 and 2005
Gerry Wood Nelson 2001–present
Not elected as independent
MemberElectorateTermNotes
Rod Oliver Alice Springs 1979–1980 Resigned from the CLP in August 1979
Ian Tuxworth Barkly 1986 Expelled from the CLP in December 1986. Founded the Northern Territory Nationals two weeks later
Col Firmin Ludmilla 1990 Lost CLP preselection for the 1990 election
Max Ortmann Brennan 1994 Lost CLP preselection for the 1994 election
Peter Maley Goyder 2005 Expelled from the CLP in May 2005
Marion Scrymgour Arafura 2009 Resigned from the ALP in June 2009. Rejoined the party in August.
Alison Anderson MacDonnell
Namatjira 		2009–2011, 2014, 2014–present Resigned from the ALP in August 2009 and sat as an independent before joining the CLP in September 2011. Re-elected as a CLP member in 2012. Resigned from the CLP in April 2014 and sat as an independent for two weeks before joining the Palmer United Party. Resigned from the PUP in November 2014 and again sat as an independent.
Ross Bohlin Drysdale 2012 Lost CLP preselection for the 2012 election
Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu Arafura 2014 Resigned from the CLP in April 2014. Rejoined the party in September.
Larisa Lee Arnhem 2014–present Resigned from the CLP in April 2014 and sat as an independent before joining the Palmer United Party two weeks later. Resigned from the PUP in November 2014 and again sat as an independent.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.aec.gov.au/Parties_and_Representatives/Party_Registration/Registered_parties/australian-independents.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/federal-election-2013/results/senate/sa/
  3. ↑ John Madigan: APH biography
  4. ↑ "Senator Jacqui Lambie". APH. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  5. ↑ "Senator Glenn Lazarus". APH. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
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