Jo Dyer will preference Labor in Boothby, but rejects she is a ‘Labor stooge’

Independent candidate Jo Dyer says she will preference the ALP at the federal election – reversing an earlier commitment.

Climate 200-backed candidate Jo Dyer will preference Labor at the May 21 election, dumping her previous commitment to run a split ticket in the marginal seat of Boothby.

Instead of dividing her preferences evenly, the independent candidate reversed her decision and announced she would preference Labor over the Coalition on her how-to-vote cards.

But she rejected expected claims she is a “Labor stooge”, after revealing in a debate on Thursday night she was hoping for a Labor minority government to gain power.

“This decision is not the result of any deals, but of deep personal contemplation and discussions with my supporters,” Ms Dyer said.

“The polls suggest voting will be close and my priority is to ensure the (Coalition) is not re-elected.”

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham seized on the move to launch an attack on Ms Dyer and Labor.

“A vote for Jo Dyer would be a vote for a weak leader in Anthony Albanese and a Labor government that would weaken out economy,” Senator Birmingham said.

Ms Dyer said she expected her move to attract a fresh wave of attacks.

No longer running a split ticket, Jo Dyer will instead preference Labor on her how-to-vote cards. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“Despite by strong criticism of many of Labor’s policy positions … I am aware that this decision will likely lead to another wave of attacks from the government and their allies claiming I’m a ‘Labor stooge’,” she said.

“To me, that will only demonstrate that they are incapable of understanding that there are many Australians outside of the Labor Party who do not support (Prime Minister) Scott Morrison.”

Ms Dyer, who has received funding from the Climate 200 activist group, revealed on Thursday night she was hoping for a minority Labor government to rule after the May 21 election.

“I will be very much hoping that we can have a minority Labor government held to account by a really powerful, independent, impressive, smart, imaginative crossbench,” she said in a NewsCorp online debate.

Ms Dyer went up against Liberal candidate Rachel Swift and Labor’s Louise Miller-Frost in the online News Corp debate, which was dominated by climate change issues.

Ms Dyer’s campaign was thrown into chaos last month as she scrambled for official confirmation that her British citizenship had been revoked.

Boothby has been in Liberal hands since 1949, but pollsters predict Labor is favourite to snatch the seat on May 21.

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