If Andrew Thaler struggled to work collaboratively at Snowy Monaro Regional Council, how can Kiama voters trust that he will work effectively with other MPs in Macquarie Street?
The Kiama by-election is now one of the most hotly contested in recent memory, with a mix of male and female candidates across the spectrum.
Andrew Thaler, a Snowy Monaro councillor, is running as a combative, anti-establishment voice. He says he wants to reopen public lands, pause housing development, and push back on what he calls “woke” agendas.
But here’s the real issue: in NSW Parliament independents only achieve real outcomes when they hold the balance of power or work collaboratively with others.
Thaler has positioned himself as firmly against all the major parties, describing Labor, Liberal, and the Greens as part of the same “coalition.”
Right now, the established independents – Alex Greenwich, Greg Piper, Joe McGirr, and Michael Regan – are pragmatic and centrist. Thaler’s positions don’t naturally align with them, which could leave him isolated.
That means his impact would likely be symbolic, not legislative.
👉 Kiama voters need to decide whether they want a representative who can work constructively inside the system to deliver results, or a candidate whose influence is more about protest than progress.
Disclaimer: These views are my own opinions.
Mainstream media outlets have repeatedly questioned Andrew Thaler’s suitability for public office, describing him in the following terms:
2GB – Ben Fordham Live (13 Mar 2025)
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“Feral fruitloop, Serial pest busted mocking disabled man.”
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Fordham: “We call Andrew Thaler the ‘Cooma Pest’.”
🔗 https://www.2gb.com/feral-fruitloop-serial-pest-busted-mocking-disabled-man/
Canberra CityNews (Aug 2025)
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“Radio host calls out Thaler, ‘pest and a parasite’.”
🔗 https://citynews.com.au/tag/andrew-thaler/ - Sydney Morning Herald / The Age Podcast – Please Explain (Aug 2025)
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“Andrew Thaler, a serial political candidate and serial pest, is bullying and threatening women.”
🔗 https://omny.fm/shows/please-explain-1/the-tiny-town-with-a-big-problem
Australian Online News (18 Apr 2025)
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“Snowy Monaro council meeting involving serial pest Andrew Thaler ends in brawl.”
🔗 https://australianonlinenews.com.au/2025/04/18/snowy-monaro-council-meeting-involving-serial-pest-andrew-thaler-ends-in-brawl/
Brisbane Times (2025 – aggregated)
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“Serial pest racks up 19 complaints but says he’s ‘smashing’ his job.”
🔗 https://au.headtopics.com/news/serial-pest-racks-up-19-complaints-but-says-he-s-smashing-63784358
🔗 https://www.onenewspage.com/n/Australia/1zqyuu74a7/Serial-pest-racks-up-19-complaints-but-says.htm
ABC News (30 Jul 2025)
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Reports Thaler suspended again, noting he failed to “express or demonstrate any remorse”.
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-30/snowy-mountains-councillor-andrew-thaler-suspended-again/105586932
About Regional (31 Jul 2025)
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Details repeated suspensions and NCAT findings over misconduct, with tribunal ordering him to apologise.
🔗 https://aboutregional.com.au/snowy-monaros-cr-andrew-thaler-suspended-again-thought-some-misconduct-was-very-funny/483218/
#KiamaByElection2025 #KiamaVotes #IndependentPolitics #NSWPolitics #PopulistFactor #ElectionChoice #CommunityFirst #PolicyNotProtest