Jeremy Buckingham launches independent ticket for NSW Upper House

Mr Buckingham left the Greens at the end of last year, as "party politics is poisonous to good outcomes", and is running his own independent ticket for the NSW Upper House.

Breeza farmer Peter Wills and Tambar Springs grazier David Quince are among the 18 people to run on the joint ticket.

"We will be a strong independent voice of community activists, farmers and people standing up for the real needs of people in NSW, and making sure the big issues are on the agenda," Mr Buckingham said.

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The independent group oppose "unnecessary mining" and coal seam gas projects, and want a renewed focus on sustainable agriculture. 

"The Greens, Labor, the Nationals, the Liberals - they're all concerned with their own positions of power, and they've forgotten about the people who put them there," Mr Buckingham said.

"We need strong feisty independents in the NSW parliament to put the issues the community is concerned about front and centre."

Mr Wills, who previously stood for the Greens in the 2017 by-election, said Mr Buckingham had been a tireless advocate for farming communities fighting mining developments.

"We've only had one voice in parliament that's actually listened to us, and that's Jeremy," he said.

"We're looking to agitate against both parties, whoever holds power, to hold them to account about what is really going on out here.

"No one else in politics who has actually stood up for our communities. All the other parties have been mute on this."

Mr Quince, who is second on the ticket, has been fighting against coal mining projects for the past 10 years. 

"Jeremy's the only foremost politician that's come to our fight against coal seam gas and inappropriate coal mining," Mr Quince said.

"Unfortunately, if you vote for a party, they are confined by party policy, where as independents can stand up and be a voice for constituents."

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