Here is a link to the Spreadsheet if you find the live version too hard to read.

Here is a further detailed report of SIG 306 days in (10 months) - nothing but failure.

How does SIG really operate - simple it is deception and manipulation

The Shoalhaven Independents Group (SIG) presents itself as a collection of common-sense, everyday people who are free from the control of major political parties.

On the surface, their messaging leans heavily into the idea of independence, relatability, and a desire to cut through bureaucracy for the benefit of the “everyman.”

However, behind this façade lies a carefully coordinated political operation that behaves much like a traditional party—complete with shared ideology, internal meetings, and a consistent voting pattern that aligns with long-standing developer interests.

Despite branding themselves as newcomers or a “new broom,” many involved with SIG have a political history that stretches back decades, particularly in support of pro-development agendas.

Their strategy has been to appear as though they are breaking new ground, when in fact they represent a continuation of entrenched views.

Symbolic acts—such as flag-burning—have been used not just to make headlines but to send subtle cues to far-right and reactionary supporters, strengthening their appeal to those who feel left behind by progressive politics.

At the heart of SIG’s approach is a deliberate tactic of scapegoating and division. By appealing to anti-intellectualism and a nostalgic yearning for the “open slather” development days of the 1950s, they aim to marginalize progressive voices.

Their base is cultivated through messaging that frames government oversight, planning rules, and climate-conscious development as threats to freedom and prosperity. Minority viewpoints are cast as elite, while the group positions itself as defenders of the everyday citizen.

Council chambers are used as a stage where SIG members perform a populist routine—voicing outrage at bureaucracy (Wilkins, Proudfoot and Kemp), calling out perceived government overreach, and posturing as underdogs battling the system.

But the real business happens elsewhere: in committees, behind closed doors, and through ongoing relationships with developers. Here, substantive decisions are made, not for the broader public good, but often in the service of private, pro-growth interests.

The contradiction between SIG’s public face and private conduct reveals a party operating on two levels.

In public, they’re independent, relatable, and seemingly grassroots. In private, they’re a tightly coordinated group with deep ties to business interests and a clear ideological direction.

Understanding this two-tier strategy is essential for voters and community members who want transparency, accountability, and policy that genuinely serves the Shoalhaven’s long-term interests.