Your story — and how you choose to tell it — can make all the difference.

Canberra Independent Network began as a grassroots residents’ group, formed by people who were concerned about the direction of politics in their communities. We didn’t start with a campaign in mind — we started with a shared belief that Canberra deserved better representation. During the 2025 Federal Election, that belief found a voice in Claire Miles.

Claire, a long-serving member of the Canberra community with decades of experience in the military, climate and sustainability work, and social advocacy, stood as an independent candidate for the seat of Canberra. Our group saw in her the integrity, lived experience, and commitment to equity that voters were craving — and we knew she was someone we could proudly support.

Together, we built a campaign from the ground up. What followed was a powerful display of what a community-led movement can achieve: a dedicated team of volunteers, thousands of conversations, critical funds raised, and 11% of the first preference vote — a standout result for a first-time, independent candidate without party backing.

Claire’s success proved what many already suspected — that people are hungry for authentic, independent leadership that puts the community first. That’s why Canberra Independent Network will continue to support her as a candidate in the lead-up to the 2028 Federal Election.

But this movement doesn’t stop there.

We are committed to supporting strong, values-driven independents across the ACT — whether they’re running in federal seats or for the ACT Legislative Assembly. If you're someone with integrity, a clear vision for your community, and a drive to represent people over party, we want to hear from you.

Let’s start the conversation…