Mr Parton, 41, said he wanted to be the ''voice of reason'' in the Assembly.

''What I'm really sick to death of is party politics in what is essentially a trumped-up city council,'' he said.

''There's just so much time and effort that is wasted on nitpicking and politicking and vote-scoring. Can you imagine how much more productive the halls of power in this city could be if all they were worried about was running this city?''

Mr Parton said he was sounded out by the Liberals, Labor and the Community Alliance Party to run for them but he wanted to contest the October 18 poll as an Independent.

''I genuinely believe there's going to be a cross bench which will have a major role in the governing of the territory, and I want to be free to genuinely represent my constituents,'' he said.

Mr Parton said he had the financial support of the Canberra Business Club, chaired by Jim Murphy who has previously helped bankroll Liberal campaigns. He understood the club was also supporting two Community Alliance Party candidates.

Mr Parton was a breakfast announcer on MIX 106.3 for a decade, resigning in June so that his wife, Vanessa, could take up an overseas posting.

He couldn't say yet whom he would support as chief minister should he be elected. ''I want to support the model of government that is the best for this town.''

He hoped his listeners would become his voters. ''They know I have similar feelings about a lot of issues as they do because I've been in their homes and their cars every morning for 10 years. They know I live next door to them.''