With the Federal Election less than five weeks away, Claire Miles is “feeling really positive.”
Running as an independent for the electorate of Canberra, she prides herself on being a proud centrist: “I’m not going to pick a side.”
“We should be able to work with everyone to come up with the best policy—and long term policy—for Australia. I think that’s what independents can bring.”
Fresh out of the Air Force after 27 years of service, Claire feels the values she developed during her time there will translate well into her new role as a political candidate.
“Integrity and courage and respect … I think those things are very important for politicians.”
Her family also have an immense influence on the policies she is creating.
Her youth policy, for instance, concentrates on young people’s futures in the nation’s capital.
“A lot of youth have told me they don’t see a future in the ACT because there is no industry to go into. I think that’s a real shame because it’s a great place to live and we need to highlight that more around the country. [The ACT] is not just a big house on the hill full of politicians. There’s real people here.”
A career in politics is not something to take lightly, but for Claire, it was a necessary career change.
“There was a light bulb moment, and I think it was the time two elections ago when I was standing in the queue to cast my vote, and I didn’t know how to vote. Neither of the parties was talking [about] the issues that I wanted to hear them talk about. You can either complain about it or do something about it. And I’ve chosen to do something about it.”
To learn more about Claire’s election campaign and policies, listen to the full interview on The Owl News.
Photos by Alison Kennelly