Independent opens campaign office for people to pitch policy ideas

Mr Blakester has released a first draft of his policies, which are based on "thousands of one-on-one conversations he's had with people across the electorate".

Mr Blakester said he was hearing from two broad groups - those that lived in cities and those in smaller towns or farms.

"For those living in cities, there are range of issues there around economic development and diversification, infrastructure, services and the future of work," Mr Blakester said.

"The others in the small towns and the farming districts, their concerns revolve around water, drought and climate change.

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"And where the two groups cross over is in the opportunities around renewable energy. Getting on the front foot for renewable develop provides both job opportunities and a climate change strategy."

Mr Blakester said so far the feedback to the draft policy had been positive, but he's still seeking to improve it.

"We want more input, more questions and more critique," he said.

"If people have concerns, we're all ears. We'll drop another version of the policy just before pre-polling opens and a final version before polling day.

"We're asking voters to give us a chance, and to hold off on voting until they've given us a look."

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