Thank you for being here today. It means so much to see so many of you taking the time to join me for this special occasion -my 2025 State Election Campaign Launch!
For those of you who don’t know me well, my name is Christiane Smith, and I’m running as an Independent in the 2025 Western Australian State Election. I stand here today as a woman of common sense and strong values, ready to hold the government to account and fight for what’s best for you, the people of WA.
A Little About Me
I have lived in the regions my whole life, building relationships and connections across the state. I built my career on hard work, and a drive to make a difference. My background includes working in transport, agriculture and small business, I have also worked in both State and Local Government. Volunteering is my heart – and being part of groups like Festival of the Wind, Esperance Care Services, Moving Movies, Farmers Across Borders and the Bush Fire Brigade have developed my skills to connect with people, tackle challenges, and advocate for practical solutions that benefit the community. Whether working on local initiatives or collaborating with others to address broader issues, I’ve always been focused on practical, people-first solutions.
How Did We Get Here
For the past few years, I have been more in shock than appreciation at the way WA Labor has run this state. Whether it’s attempting to shut down School of the Air, steamrolling changes to the Electoral Act, or Ministers for Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Health undermining the very industries they are meant to strengthen—the disconnect is glaring.
And lately, we’ve seen a pattern of poor communication, poor education and consultation on crucial issues: Marine Parks, Firearm reforms, Cultural Heritage, Pastoral Leases, Green Energy Hubs, and Working with Children Cards, to name just a few. Industries are being stifled, our health system is overwhelmed, and education is struggling to keep up. There’s been a blatant lack of support and regard for Regional WA, and it’s clear that we need change.
I believe our government should seek, serve, and promote the common good of its people—not the interests of the party. It should support progress, foster peace and prosperity, and protect those who do right while holding wrongdoers accountable. Instead, what we’ve seen is a government that makes it harder for law-abiding citizens to thrive.
In September, while on birthday holidays, I visited Parliament and watched question time. I was shocked and discusted by the behavior I witnessed—a far cry from the dignity and respect you would expect in our highest place of authority. Where a simple question from the Opposition, requiring a simple answer, received heckling and name calling highlighted the disconnect between the metro-centric government and the regions.
When the hard working, silent majority started activist movements like Keep the Sheep, and protesting various government changes, I thought, “We need real, regular people in parliament. But someone more educated, popular, or experienced than me will step up.” But then a worrying thought crossed my mind: “What if on the 8th March I go to vote and no one has stood up?” That’s when I decided to turn my words into actions and start this journey.
What am I Passionate About?
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more on my socials about what I will be standing for in this election, but here is a little on what I’m passionate about.
Transport: As someone with family in the Transport Industry, I’ve heard first hand about the state of our roads and seen the challenges myself. Our highways are not fit for purpose. I’ll push for safer, more efficient highways, better working conditions for the transport industry, and explore alternative routes and to reduce pressure on roads (e.g Tier 3 rail).
Agriculture: Our farmers, foresters, and fishers are the backbone of WA. They face mounting challenges—from excessive regulations to unpredictable weather. I’ll fight to simplify these regulations, make grants and rebates accessible to those businesses who actually need them, and strengthen support for drought relief, proactive water management and food security. These insecurities felt by the Ag Industry add to our cost of living.
Housing: Homelessness and domestic violence remain widespread. In a state with year on year billion-dollar surpluses, we have a housing and cost-of-living crisis. Cutting red tape on land development, expanding GRO Housing, and incentivising low-cost housing investments are all measures I’ll advocate for in a start to address these issues.
Cost of living: The struggle is real and we all feel it. I’ll fight for immediate relief like freezing electricity prices; supporting fair pricing in agriculture to stabilise food costs, and reviewing rising government fees and taxes to help ease financial burdens on families and businesses.
Volunteering: Because volunteering is important to me, I’ll fight for reforms to better support volunteer-run organisations, reduce liability risks for individuals, and ensure consistent funding for volunteer resource centres.
Taxes: Taxes and government fees in this state are out of control! I’ll challenge excessive taxes, advocate for payroll tax reform to support small and medium businesses, and push for a fairer stamp duty system, particularly for first-time buyers and low-income families.
This Is About You
But today, I want to focus on what this campaign is really about: you. It’s about your concerns, your dreams, and your future. Together, we have already accomplished so much. 341 of you nominated me to be an independent candidate—341 ordinary West Aussies who believe in what I stand for. Together, we can make this campaign so impactful that it forces the major parties to take notice.
As an Independent, I am not tied to party politics or hidden agendas. I am here to listen to you, to serve you, and to act for you. My commitment is to bring your voice to Parliament, be a thorn in the side of Government, and to ensure that your priorities are at the heart of every decision I make.
This is not just my campaign. It’s our campaign. It’s a movement powered by people who believe in the potential of WA and want to see real change, and I reckon we can do it.
So, whether you’re here to share your ideas, ask questions, or simply enjoy the food and company, know that your presence and support are deeply valued.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my Dad and family, my friends, and supporters who have stood by me throughout this journey so far. Your patience, encouragement, and belief in me fuel my determination to make a difference.
To each of you here today, I ask for your ongoing support. I am going to need a minimum of 51,000 people across the State to vote 1 Christiane Smith below the line on March 8, that’s huge and I need your help.
So whether it’s a conversation with a neighbour, talking to your family and friends in the metro, sharing a post on social media, or simply spreading the word about what we’re trying to achieve, every little bit helps. Together, we can build momentum and send a powerful message to the rest of WA that it’s time for change.
Thank you once again for coming out. Please enjoy the food, the company, and the conversations. And remember, this is just the beginning.
Christiane Smith – 2025 WA Election Launch Party Speech 16.01.2025