About US
Cooper Listening Post is an embryonic group inspired by the Community Independents Project. We are attempting to bring a better democratic process to the Federal electoral division of Cooper; the colocated state seats of Northcote and Preston; and the local governance of the City of Darebin.
Its main purpose is to encourage a group of like minded people to listen to the population and advocate to currently elected representatives or encourage Community Independent representatives to stand for election.
Goals
Our short term goal is to grow the number of active people in the group to the point where it can maintain and sustain itself. Between 10 and 30 people are probably needed to cover all the functions of a viable community organisation.
Our medium term goal is to listen to the people who live in the electorate and analyse desires and concerns so we can advocate on their behalf to our existing elected representatives.
Our long term goal is to support representatives who have as their primary mission to represent the community. We have no intention to ever become political party or a lobbyist whose interests are not aligned with the community who elected them.
Values
The values of Cooper Listening post at present are taken from the Community Independents Project because we are not yet big enough to truly refine a set of values informed by our community. These will be refined during the medium term.
At present, we value collaboration, integrity, inclusiveness, truth, transparency, empathy, trust, equality, respect and generosity.
Legal
At present Cooper Listening Post is a group of individual volunteers collaborating to see if a viable organisation can exist. There is no company or incorporated association status. We hold no insurance as an organisation. We have no constitution. We do not collect donations and have no bank accounts. When we have enough like minded people this will change. 21 January 2026