Not only is Erchana Murray-Bartlett running for office, she has taken things a few (literal) steps further to run 120 km and raise money for community independents.
Crossing the finish line Monday morning, Murray-Bartlett ran the entire perimeter of the McPherson electorate, the Gold Coast community she is working to represent at the next federal election.
She set off at sunrise on Sunday and ran along the coast, through the bush and through the suburbs, pounding the pavement through the night and into morning. Hundreds of supporters cheered her on the whole way, with many turning out with their furry friends at Mowbray Park, Burleigh Heads to do the final leg of the run.
Murray-Bartlett’s trailblazing effort was equivalent to running three non-stop marathons in a 24 hour period.
As of Monday, she has raised more than $107,000 for community independents across the country, the majority of whom are women.
“It felt electric to cross that finish line. The community was awesome, I spoke to so many people along the way. I’m grateful to all the hundreds of people who turned out to cheer us on,” Murray-Bartlett told Women’s Agenda.
“Crossing the finish line today wasn’t just the end of a run — it was the beginning of a movement. This was about showing the community what’s possible when we go the distance together. We’ve sent a clear message: people want change, and they’re ready to back someone who will listen, act and put them first.”
“Running through the night, through bush tracks and along the coastline, I was constantly reminded of why I’m doing this — to represent a community that feels left behind by the major parties. Every step was fuelled by the energy of people who stopped to cheer, join in to run, or just share their stories.”
“This ultramarathon was one of the tougher things I’ve ever done — but nowhere near as tough as what many Australians are facing right now with rising costs, housing stress and political disillusionment. That’s why I’m running as a community independent. Because we deserve leaders who go the extra mile — literally and figuratively — for their community.”
Called ‘Go the Distance for Independents’, Murray-Bartlett’s achievement comes ahead of the fast approaching election on 3 May, with her own political campaign for the Southern Gold Coast seat of McPherson ongoing.
McPherson has been held by the LNP for more than 40 years and was considered a safe seat for the party. With the incumbent member Karen Andrews now retiring, no women were nominated by the LNP for preselection, and there looks to be a real opportunity for an independent to take over.
“What I’m hearing out in the community is that so many people don’t feel represented or heard by the major parties. They don’t trust them to put the community before party politics,” Murray-Bartlett said.
“Australians are becoming more disillusioned and frustrated – they want to see things done differently. They want to see transparency, trust and integrity in politics.”
Murray-Bartlett said she ran the distance to support her community, listen and act on their concerns, including on cost of living.
“The major parties have failed to adequately address the underlying causes of the housing crisis, increased grocery prices and insurance costs with short-term thinking and corporate influence.”
“We know the major parties are trying to stop the community independent movement in its tracks – rushing through legislation in its Electoral Reform Bill to limit the ability of independents to compete against the major parties when it comes to elections.”
Murray-Barlett also noted the role of community independents in parliament, including on the Climate Change Bill, the Safeguard Mechanism, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and student debt.
She says she wants more women to have a voice and in defiance of major parties wanting to stop ordinary people like her from doing politics differently.
Murray-Bartlett has plenty of running behind her, having previously run 150 marathons in 150 days, the most consecutive marathons ever completed by a woman. Two years ago, this achievement broke the Guinness World Record, as she ran from Cape York to Melbourne, raising money for at-risk wildlife in the process.
“I’ve been a passionate advocate, and now I’m ready to take that work to the national level, and give our community a strong, independent voice in Parliament,” Murray-Bartlett said at the time of her announcement to run for McPherson.
In her latest ‘Go the Distance’ campaign, Climate200 has agreed to match all funds raised to contribute to community independent campaigns around the country.
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