Shoalhaven Independents Group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- SIG
Shoalhaven Independents Group | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation |
|
| Leader | Patricia White |
| Founder | Greg Watson |
| Headquarters | Vincentia, New South Wales, Australia[1] |
| Ideology | Localism Conservative[2] |
| Political position | Right-wing[3][4] |
| Slogan | "Community Honesty Experience Integrity"[5] |
| Shoalhaven City Council | 4 / 13 |
The Shoalhaven Independents Group (SIG), also known simply as the Shoalhaven Independents, is an Australian political party that contests local government elections for Shoalhaven City Council in New South Wales.[6] The party is registered with the New South Wales Electoral Commission (NSWEC).[1]
Shoalhaven Independents has existed since at least 2004, and has been led by Greg Watson − who was elected mayor in 1999 − for most of that time.[7] The party won a majority at the 2004 local elections, with Watson re-elected mayor and six SIG candidates elected as councillors. He was defeated in 2008 by Paul Green, and unsuccessfully contested the 2012 and 2016 elections as well.[8][9][10]
At the 2021 local elections, SIG won the largest number of councillors − 4 out of 12 − but fell short of winning a plurality as incumbent Greens mayor Amanda Findley was re-elected.[11] The party had endorsed three candidates for the mayoral election, including former Team Gash councillor Patricia White.[12][13][14]
Watson retired at the 2024 local elections after 50 years as a councillor, with White taking over as SIG leader.[15][16] The party pledged to re-introduce Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremonies on 26 January if elected to a majority.[17][18]