Tag: populist factor

Could Andrew Thaler actually deliver for Kiama?

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)

Canberra CityNews (Aug 2025)

Australian Online News (18 Apr 2025)

Brisbane Times (2025 – aggregated)

ABC News (30 Jul 2025)

About Regional (31 Jul 2025)

#KiamaByElection2025 #KiamaVotes #IndependentPolitics #NSWPolitics #PopulistFactor #ElectionChoice #CommunityFirst #PolicyNotProtest

Make Your Vote Count – Thoughts on Andrew Thaler and the Populist Factor in Kiama

The Kiama by-election has already made history with an all-female field of declared candidates who have a real chance of being elected . Into that contest, a new name has emerged, Andrew Thaler, a Snowy Monaro councillor who has built a reputation for being outspoken, controversial, and often combative.

In a profile published in The Bugle, Thaler presented himself as a married father of five, a small businessman of 30 years, and an independent voice offering “fair, genuine Independent representation, with a strong desire to return lost rights and to re-open our public lands, beaches and forests for all to enjoy.” He described himself as “someone who knows the earth is round and the governments’ power is limited by the people.”

In contrast, comments he gave to the Sydney Morning Herald took a sharper turn. He was quoted saying he is the “perfect candidate to stop another woman from getting a seat in Macquarie Street,” and that “people are sick of the women and woke agenda.” Reports also noted his history of calling women “fat, bitches and cows” and referring to a female councillor as a “fat, dumb blonde.”

On paper, Thaler and I hold very different values. As a woman, I can see he is unlikely to be interested in my thoughts or experiences. What is clear, however, is that his rhetoric positions him firmly in the same territory as populist groups like One Nation. His focus is anti-“woke,” anti-establishment, and distrustful of institutions and regulation.

What impact do candidates like this have?

Kiama has seen before how late-entry candidates or smaller parties can shift the dynamics of a campaign. Fisher and Shooters, Family First, and others have at times attracted protest votes from people dissatisfied with the major parties.

The impact of such candidates usually falls into three categories:

  1. Diluting the primary vote. Even if they do not win, they can peel votes away from one or more of the leading candidates, making the outcome tighter.
  2. Shaping the debate. By raising emotive issues such as gender, land use, or “lost rights,” they can force other candidates to respond, distracting from core policy questions.
  3. Preferences under NSW’s system. In a state by-election, optional preferential voting applies. Voters can number just one box, or add preferences. This means minor candidates do not automatically funnel their votes to the majors, but they can still have an impact. If their supporters allocate preferences, those flows can be decisive in a close race.

This by-election is about more than one candidate or one party promise. It is about the kind of representation Kiama deserves. Let’s keep the focus on ideas that build community strength, equality, and long-term solutions — and make sure our votes reflect those values.

Don’t throw your vote away. I understand why people are disillusioned.  I am too. But we need to believe that we can effect real change. If we vote for candidates who have a real chance of being elected, we can be part of that change.

The Kiama by-election has already made history with an all-female field of candidates offering a range of perspectives and solutions. Into that race, Andrew Thaler has stepped forward with rhetoric that is openly dismissive of women and framed in populist, anti-establishment terms.

We’ve seen before how late-entry candidates and minor parties can shift the debate, peel votes away from serious contenders, and distract from the big issues. Even without winning, they can dilute the primary vote and shape outcomes through preferences.

This election is too important to let that happen. Let’s keep the focus on candidates with constructive ideas for Kiama’s future – housing, cost of living, youth opportunity, and the health of our environment. Our community deserves leaders who want to build us up, not divide us.

Your vote matters. Let’s make it count.

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)

Canberra CityNews (Aug 2025)

Australian Online News (18 Apr 2025)

Brisbane Times (2025 – aggregated)

ABC News (30 Jul 2025)

About Regional (31 Jul 2025)

#KiamaByElection2025 #AndrewThaler #Populism #PopulistFactor #NSWPolitics #KiamaVotes #IndependentPolitics #ElectionDynamics