--- title: "A Sense of Long-Term Optimism: Kate Chaney" description: The source of Kate Chaney's optimism? Community, compassion and a long-term perspective. image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Kate%20Chaney%20Portrait.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Long-Term Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/long-term-optimism) # A Sense of Long-Term Optimism: Kate Chaney "The source of my optimism? Community, compassion and a long-term perspective." In an article entitled "[Kate Chaney: Approaching Australia’s upcoming challenges with a new sense of optimism](https://thewest.com.au/opinion/kate-chaney-approaching-australias-upcoming-challenges-with-a-new-sense-of-optimism-c-10727752)", an independent member of the Australian Parliament, Kate Chaney wrote "From the new inside, it has felt like an uncynical rebirth of democracy. I never expected I could feel so hopeful about our future. The source of my optimism? Community, compassion and a long-term perspective." Kate talks about the Liberal Party, "The Liberals have been the most successful party of the post-war era. When Robert Menzies brought together the broad church of conservatives and liberals in the 1940s, he tapped into the majority values and demographics of the time. Service to community was assumed, with two generations having risked their lives for their country and lived through a depression with minimal state welfare. Membership of associations was high, whether churches, political parties or sporting clubs. These were the organisations that formed the backbone of community, providing a sense of belonging, purpose and safety. In the context of deeply connected communities, individual freedoms were prioritised by the emerging Liberal Party. But it was a long way from the neoliberal world we see today, which has taken individualism to its logical conclusion. We talk a lot about our rights, but rarely about our obligations." Back to optimism, "Part of optimism is a long-term view, and this was something else that my community was seeking. Here in WA, we have a history of making far-reaching bold decisions, from C.Y. O’Connor’s pipeline to Kalgoorlie, which enabled the gold rush, to the infrastructure investments of the North West Shelf, unlocking decades of prosperity." Kate concludes, "So I, and others, are now approaching our parliamentary roles with a sense of long-term optimism. Notwithstanding the immense challenges facing Australia, I believe we are part of a deep shift to a more hopeful era. If our communities can decide how they want to be represented, if we can unlock our compassion, and if we can adopt a long-term mindset, what might be possible?" [![Read more on Infectiously Optimistic Leadership](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/ffd39deb-8f7d-4475-98ca-5ce974726926.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/ffd39deb-8f7d-4475-98ca-5ce974726926) > Cottesloe Beach was a beautiful backdrop today to 900 Yes supporters celebrating the announcement of the referendum on 14 Oct. Being surrounded by hope and optimism reminds me of who we can be. [#Yes23](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yes23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#hopenotfear](https://twitter.com/hashtag/hopenotfear?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#auspol](https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/BAqRLmvhgs](https://t.co/BAqRLmvhgs) > > — Kate Chaney (@ChaneyforCurtin) [August 30, 2023](https://twitter.com/ChaneyforCurtin/status/1696846661333766328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Victoria](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/victoria) , ###### [Happiness](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/happiness) , ###### [Policy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/policy) , ###### [Optimism Gap](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-gap) #### [Heading in the Right Direction?  Australia’s States and Territories?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/heading-in-the-right-direction-australias-states-and-territories?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/heading-in-the-right-direction-australias-states-and-territories?hsLang=en) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [India](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/india) , ###### [Divide Between Personal and National Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/divide-between-personal-and-national-optimism) , ###### [Sweden](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/sweden) , ###### [France](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/france) #### [Are We Heading in the Right Direction?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/are-we-heading-in-the-right-direction?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/are-we-heading-in-the-right-direction?hsLang=en) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Farmers](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/farmers) #### [Optimism with Dirt on Its Boots](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-with-dirt-on-its-boots?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/optimism-with-dirt-on-its-boots?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? 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