Victorian independent MP Ali Cupper has struck a unique coalition with Fiona Patten's Reason Party, in a bid to boost the duo's influence in state politics.
Key points:
- Ali Cupper and Fiona Patten have pledged to work together in the Victorian Parliament
- The MPs have compared themselves to the Nationals and Liberals in coalition
- Ms Cupper and Ms Patten are not bound to vote the same way on legislation
The MPs have dubbed themselves a "coalition of independent women", pledging to work together in the Victorian Parliament and carve up portfolios as part of a "Reason coalition".
Ms Cupper was elected at the 2018 election as an independent in Mildura, beating the Nationals Peter Crisp by just 253 votes.
She had previously run as an ALP candidate.
Ms Patten is a key crossbencher in the Upper House.
Ms Cupper will remain an independent MP but work with Ms Patten in a relationship the pair said was not dissimilar to the Nationals and Liberals in coalition.
Given Labor has a sizeable majority in the Lower House, it is difficult for Ms Cupper to have a say on controversial legislation.
But in the Upper House, Labor currently only controls 17 of 40 votes, giving crossbench MPs like Ms Patten influence.
Ms Cupper was approached by Ms Patten to form the coalition.
"Reason takes the best conservative ideas and the best progressive ideas and melds them together," Ms Cupper said.
"In my view, they represent exactly what a modern, regional city is."
"My community knows me as an independent. Essentially nothing will change in that regards. My coalition with Fiona and Reason will simply mean the Mallee region will have a greater say in matters that affect everyone in the state."
MPs retain independence despite their coalition
The new coalition has identified regional rate reforms as a policy priority.
It will also develop a "Reason for the Regions" policy platform.
"Having a seat at the table thanks to Fiona will really help me to advance some of those big regional issues that have been elusive for so long," Ms Cupper said.
Despite the union, the duo will not be bound to vote the same on legislation.
Ms Cupper's vote in the Lower House is largely moot on controversial legislation because Labor has such a sizable majority.
"Who says that politics has to be done the same way as the major parties?" said Ms Patten.
"Why can't Ali and I have a coalition of reason but still retain our independence as well?"
"It is up to us to decide how we approach the task of better advocating for change."
The outspoken MP said the party would build on the under-represented similarities between Melbourne and regional communities.
Originally elected as a Sex Party MP in 2014, Ms Patten rebranded the party in 2017.
The party fielded candidates in recent state and federal elections but to date Ms Patten is the only successful candidate, defending her Northern Metro spot in 2018.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEyLTA0L3ZpY3Rvcmlhbi1tcHMtZmlvbmEtcGF0dGVuLWFsaS1jdXBwZXItZm9ybS1jb2FsaXRpb24tb2Ytd29tZW4vMTI5NDg0MTjSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI5NDg0MTg?oc=5
2020-12-03 13:04:00Z
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