Voices for Indi and MP Helen Haines feature in TV documentary Big Deal

Big Deal, presented by Christiaan Van Vuuren, aims to sound a wake-up call about the extent to which money has infiltrated politics.

"The right to vote is a privilege that I reckon many Aussies take for granted, but aren't we being taken for granted ourselves?" Van Vuuren asks.

"And if we are, what does that mean for our country, and for my kids' future?"

Exploring the influence of lobbyists and political donations, the host is told, "if you don't have $100,000, you've got to organise with other people".

One example is Voices for Indi, a grassroots movement that backed successful federal election candidates Cathy McGowan (twice) and Helen Haines.

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These achievements encouraged people in other electorates to form their own Voices organisations.

The Indi group will celebrate its 10^th anniversary next year, with a book about its history in the planning.

Dr Haines and Voices for Indi founding member Alana Johnson will appear alongside Van Vuuren and Big Deal director Craig Reucassel (War on Waste) in the documentary.

Ms Johnson said Australians could all expect and achieve a high standard of political representation in their country.

"How politics is now done in Indi, the transparent way the electorate is represented and the relationship between the people and their MP, gives hope to other electorates," she said.

The four will also take part in an online panel discussion the following week, to be moderated by Guardian Australia political reporter, Amy Remeikis.

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