Neil Mitchell: What Australians have ‘every right to demand’ from independents

A staggering 29 per cent of Australians will support a minor party or independent at the federal election, the latest Newspoll reveals.

Neil Mitchell says independent candidates “could be extremely important in the future of Australia”, and we have “every right to demand” they share how they’ll vote on key topics.

“If you believe the polls the wackos and fringe dwellers are probably more powerful now than they have been at any other election,” the 3AW Mornings host said.

“I’m told Josh Frydenberg really could lose his seat to Dr Monique Ryan. That’s how powerful these people are.”

Neil Mitchell says it looks likely that independents will hold the balance of power in the next Parliament, so it’s critical that they inform voters on how they intend to vote on big issues.

“Where do Monique Ryan and these others stand on turning back the boats? Where do they stand on China? Where do they stand on taxation levels? Where do they stand on tax indexation? Where do they stand on cost of living? Where do they stand on pensioner work rights?,” he said.

“These people will be in such a position of power we have every right to demand where they stand on these things.”

Press PLAY below to hear the questions Neil Mitchell says independents must answer