Years ago the election of an independent was an anomaly, something so unusual it was largely inconsequential to the every day political process.

Governments kept governing, such as when independent Phil Cleary took over ex-PM Bob Hawke's old seat of Wills.

An exception to the rule on independents' influence was Brian Harradine, once known as "the father of the Senate".

He was a clever negotiator, though nevertheless relied on the quirk of holding the balance of power in the Senate to secure $350 million for Tasmania in exchange for supporting the part sale of Telstra.

In more recent years, as the margins have whittled away for incumbent governments, the influence of independents has become more substantial.

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Indi's own Cathy McGowan and previously, the likes of Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have been able to operate as anything but lame-duck parliamentarians, their crucial votes and effective lobbying resulting in more targeted supported for their electorates.

But just as big a part of this change to the political landscape in recent times has been the very reason why people have voted-in independents.

They clearly are breaking old habits in being willing to deviate from their life-time choice of party in order to get someone representing them who they believe is more willing to fight for their interests.

That is the political climate under which Albury mayor Kevin Mack will try to oust Farrer's long-time Liberal incumbent, Sussan Ley.

Mack reckons Ley has "dropped the ball," especially in terms of articulating a vision for Farrer and then backing that up by fighting for considerably more funding.

This coming election could very well deliver another blow to the Liberals, who as it is will be struggling to hold on to government.

And for that, they and the other major parties have only their narcissistic obsession with re-election to blame.