ACT Independent Senator David Pocock will Address the National Press Club on “What we could build with our natural wealth if we thought and planned for the long term.”

In his inaugural National Press Club address, the ACT’s first independent Senator looks at Australia’s changing political landscape and the role of vested interests in voters’ disillusionment with politics as usual and makes a case for a politics that makes decisions like we truly love this place and plan to be here for a long time. 

Using the grassroots campaign for a gas export tax as a case study Senator Pocock will explore how an incrementalist agenda is falling short of community expectations and what needs to happen to deliver better representation. 

BIO

Growing up in Zimbabwe and migrating to Australia as a teenager, David went on to captain the Wallabies and Vice-Captain the Brumbies. With a Masters in Sustainable Agriculture, David has been involved in small businesses and co-founded numerous not-for-profit initiatives in Australia and overseas. In late 2021, following a grassroots approach from the Canberra community,  David announced he would run as an independent candidate for one of the ACT’s two senate seats. He was elected in 2022 as the ACT’s first independent Senator and re-elected in 2025.

Since being elected David has continued his advocacy on protecting nature, pushing for more social and affordable housing, improving the accessibility and affordability of health services in the ACT and advocating for more integrity in politics.

David lives in Canberra with his wife Emma, their young son (with another on the way) and their dog Bronte. David and his family’s favourite way to recharge is on the banks of the Murrumbidgee spotting platypus and native birds.