Self-proclaimed rogue MP Jeremy Buckingham channelled Australian Democrats' inaugural leader Don Chipp in promising to "keep the bastards honest".
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The Independent MP made the pledge while in Wollongong on Monday to launch his Group “L” ticket for the NSW Upper House.
Mr Buckingham caused a stir last December when he ripped up his Greens' membership after the party asked him to step aside as a candidate for the state election on March 23.
He said his team of 15 community advocates, coal and coal seam gas activists and water campaigners, will always put the community and environment "that sustains us" first.
"We need a specialist environment politician, and that's what I am," the NSW MP said.
"I am an activist, I'm energised and so is my team. That's what I bring to the NSW Upper House.
"I've got no vested interest. I have no political party pulling the strings and I'm going to stand up to the bastards. That's what I'm about."
Mr Buckingham called on people in Wollongong and the Illawarra to support him.
"The people of NSW need someone in parliament who is a climate warrior, who will expose dishonest dealings and is not afraid of going a bit rogue to get the job done," he said.
"I’m a rogue MP, I’ve set rivers on fire to highlight the dangers of fracking and I plan to light up the election campaign to make sure burning issues like climate change, renewable energy and water are top of the agenda."
With the NSW election expected to be extremely close, he said votes from communities such as Wollongong, Thirroul, Kiama and others right across the Illawarra "will be more important than ever".
"Our state is at a crossroads and the next State Government will be making critical decisions for our future," Mr Buckingham said.
"Whichever major party wins, I will hold them to account and push for saving the Darling River, climate action and renewable energy, stronger environmental protection and a fairer society."