The community independent movement is grassroots-driven, initiated by local people who want change. Kate's campaign is supported by local donors who want to see politics done differently and ensure that the community has an independent voice in parliament.

Kate is not a career politician but a community advocate with a proven track record of delivering real outcomes. She understands the pressures facing local families, having run a small business, raised a family, and led local organisations.

As President of the Berry Chamber of Commerce, she doubled membership post-COVID and led the village to win "Top Tourism Town" three years in a row. Her business was named Shoalhaven Small Business of the Year in 2024. Through roles on the National Trust and Shoalhaven Tourism Board, she has championed regional development and community resilience. Kate also led the $4.7 million 'Investing in Rural Community Futures' program, supporting over 120 grassroots organisations through bushfire recovery across Batemans Bay, Nowra, Bay and Basin, Ulladulla, and Kangaroo Valley. With a deep connection to the community, she is committed to practical solutions that put locals first.

When voters in Gilmore head to the polls, the decision on where to direct their preferences—after voting 1 for Kate4Gilmore—is entirely theirs. Kate is drawn to the approach taken by many regional community independents, providing how-to-vote information with two options: one for voters who prefer to direct preferences to the left and one for those who prefer to direct them to the right. Kate wants people to engage with their vote and make their own decision based on their values and priorities. Rather than directing preferences, she will focus on providing clear, accurate information to help voters make an informed choice.

Kate will assess policies from both sides and make decisions based on what is best for Gilmore rather than aligning automatically with one party.

Affordable Housing and Healthcare (Making the Basics Affordable)

• Housing security and healthcare access are fundamental rights that too many in our community are struggling to maintain. Kate will advocate for federal investment in community housing projects and better incentives to attract and retain essential workers like teachers and healthcare professionals. By addressing our GP shortages, mental health services, and infrastructure gaps, we can ensure everyone in Gilmore has access to the basic services they deserve.

Powering the Future (Clean Energy, Local Jobs)

• The energy transition presents a unique opportunity to create local jobs, reduce costs, and build a sustainable future for Gilmore. Kate will champion renewable energy projects that benefit our community, not multinational corporations, while supporting local businesses and tradies to thrive in the new energy economy. With proper federal support for energy-efficient upgrades, we can lower bills and create opportunities while protecting our environment for future generations.

Community Resilience (Disaster-Ready Communities)

• Living through fires, floods, and the pandemic has shown us the importance of being prepared and supporting each other through tough times. Kate will fight for better disaster preparedness funding, support local conservation projects that protect our natural assets, and strengthen the community programs that help us bounce back stronger. Building resilience means investing in both our infrastructure and our connections to each other.

Honest Leadership (People before Politics)

• Our community deserves representation that puts local needs first, not party politics. As your independent voice, Kate will bring transparency to decision-making, ensure community voices shape our priorities, and fight against misinformation in our political discourse. Her track record shows she knows how to bring people together and deliver results that matter.

Kate understands that the cost-of-living crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing people in Gilmore. As an independent, she will push for practical, locally focused solutions that ease financial pressure on households and businesses.

Her priorities include:

• Advocating for targeted relief – Ensuring government support reaches those who need it most, including pensioners, families, and small businesses.
• Boosting local jobs and investment – Supporting local industries, infrastructure projects, and training opportunities to create secure, well-paid employment.
• Affordable housing solutions – Working to increase housing supply and affordability..
• Lowering household costs – Supporting policies that reduce energy bills, improve access to essential services, and strengthen regional supply chains to keep grocery prices fair.

Kate will engage with experts, community groups, and policymakers to find the best solutions for Gilmore and ensure local voices are heard in Canberra.

Kate understands that housing affordability and availability are at crisis levels in Gilmore, with skyrocketing rents, record-low vacancy rates, and essential workers, young families, and retirees struggling to find stable housing. This isn’t just a housing issue—it impacts local businesses, services, and the entire economy.

Some areas that should be explored in partnership with the community at the federal level include:

• Tax incentives and funding support for build-to-rent developments to increase the supply of stable, long-term rental housing.
• Exploring shared-equity and public-private housing partnerships to create more accessible homeownership pathways.
• Encouraging innovative housing solutions such as modular homes, tiny homes, and adaptable housing models to improve affordability and flexibility.
• Stronger protections for renters to prevent unfair rent hikes and short leases, ensuring more stability in the rental market.

Kate believes that housing policy must prioritise affordability, security, and diversity, ensuring that all residents—whether renters, first-home buyers, or those seeking long-term stability—have realistic, secure housing options in Gilmore.

People in Gilmore are waiting weeks—sometimes months—to see a doctor. The campaign supports:

• Incentives to attract and retain GPs in regional areas.
• Increased investment in bulk billing clinics.
• Better funding for local hospitals and aged care services.

A third of households already have solar panels, and many local businesses are engaged in the renewable energy transition. The focus should be on supporting distributed energy, local batteries, and community solar rather than changing direction on energy policy.

Kate acknowledges that the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters are linked to climate change. She supports government action to ensure communities are resilient and prepared.

Community feedback and consultation indicate government action is needed to ensure insurance remains accessible and that communities are better prepared for disasters. She opposes uninsurable housing expansion into high-risk areas without proper planning.

Community feedback and consultation indicate nuclear energy is too expensive, too slow to develop, and not the best solution for achieving net zero by 2050. Experts in the sector largely agree that nuclear does not pass the economic or technological feasibility test.

Mr. Dutton's nuclear plan is a direct attack on the thousands of families in Gilmore who've invested in rooftop solar to lower their power bills and take control of their electricity. His scheme would force them to pay more in their bills to cover the costs of power stations built by multinational corporations.

Kate believes that offshore wind should go where it is most effective, with every proposal subject to rigorous financial, environmental, and technical feasibility assessments. Australia needs a secure, sustainable energy future, and offshore wind is bound to play an important role in our transition. Australia has amazing natural advantages that we should make the most of - offshore wind can be an effective source of renewable energy if implemented with proper planning - but needs courageous and transparent community engagement to make the case and bring people on the journey.

One of the key benefits of electing a community independent is that decisions are made by balancing the best interests of the electorate with the best interests of the country, rather than being dictated by major party politics or their financial backers. The priority must be ensuring that energy projects are developed with genuine community consultation, strong environmental protections, and binding commitments to local jobs and industry participation. What’s right for one electorate may not necessarily be right for another. Decisions on major energy projects should not be driven by ideology but assessed on their merits, weighing up the economic, environmental, and social impacts.

At this stage, there is no formal offshore wind proposal for the Gilmore electorate. The Illawarra offshore wind zone appears to present a significant opportunity for the region, but community concerns around consultation, environmental impact, and job creation must be taken seriously and addressed in a straightforward and transparent way. There is no doubt that the big picture risks of climate-induced ocean warming and biodiversity loss far outweigh the localised impacts from well-planned renewable projects. I am listening to community feedback and balancing that against the science backed views of credible organisations like the WWF, CSIRO to AGL - and they all tell us that and we have to keep our focus on the big picture and maintain policy certainty if we are going to meet our legislated climate targets.

Climate 200 provides support to a range of regional community independents without dictating policy. Kate’s positions are based on what the local community wants and needs.

Community feedback and consultation indicate immigration has helped Australia avoid a recession but she acknowledges the need for infrastructure investment to keep pace with population growth. The focus should be on ensuring regional areas have the services and housing to support growing communities.

Kate supports high-quality, medium-density developments in areas with good access to infrastructure, such as Ulladulla, Nowra, and Batemans Bay, rather than urban sprawl.

The campaign supports evidence-based land management practices, including Indigenous cool burning techniques and cooperation between land councils and the RFS to manage fire risks effectively.

Her priority will be securing long-term infrastructure investments and ensuring policy decisions reflect the needs of the community. She will advocate for systemic improvements rather than one-off funding promises.

Kate condemns any acts of discrimination and supports an inclusive, tolerant community. She believes in calling out intolerance where it exists while emphasising the strong community spirit in Gilmore.

Community feedback and consultation indicate that election promises from major parties often don’t materialise. She is committed to negotiating for real funding and policy commitments that will benefit Gilmore, regardless of which party forms government.

Kate believes in a humanitarian approach, supporting diplomatic solutions and international efforts for peace. She advocates for prioritising humanitarian aid and ensuring Australia plays a constructive role in promoting long-term stability in the region.

Development must be well-planned, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with population growth. The campaign supports sustainable, high-quality, medium-density development in suitable areas while protecting the region’s character and environment.

Kate is committed to ongoing community engagement through multiple channels, including:

• Hosting regular town halls and forums to hear directly from residents.
• Conducting surveys and online consultations to gather a broad range of perspectives.
• Meeting with local businesses, community groups, and stakeholders to discuss issues and solutions.
• Encouraging residents to provide feedback through her campaign and office channels.

Kate's decision-making process will be guided by this continuous engagement, ensuring that policy positions are based on the needs and priorities of the community rather than party politics. She will also seek input from experts, local leaders, and relevant stakeholders to make well-informed decisions that balance local concerns with long-term sustainability and economic viability.

Yes, Independents have been highly effective in shaping policy and delivering real outcomes in Parliament. Unlike party politicians, they are not bound by party lines and can negotiate on issues based on what’s best for their communities.

Since being elected, Independents have:

• Helped establish the National Anti-Corruption Commission
• Strengthened climate action, doubling renewable energy targets to 82% by 2030
• Introduced stronger penalties for parliamentary misconduct
• Secured protections for water from gas fracking
• Blocked offshore oil and gas drilling near NSW
• Supported policies that wiped billions off student debt
• Advocated for better wages for childcare workers
• Increased the number of women in Parliament to a record high
• They are also leading ongoing fights for stronger whistleblower protections, greater transparency over lobbyists, and bans on lies in political advertising.

Independents have successfully influenced major reforms, proving they are not only effective but essential in holding governments accountable and pushing for policies that serve the public interest.