Climate 200-backed independents Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender, Kylea Tink and Zoe Daniel refuse to answer key questions

The teal independents, who could control a hung parliament, have flatly refused to explain where they stand on China’s advance in the Pacific, whether they want to change the income tax system, or when we should celebrate Australia Day.

High-profile “independents” trumpeting transparency have arrogantly refused to properly detail where they stand on China’s advance in the Pacific, changes to income tax, defence spending and transgender athletes.

While Climate 200-backed silver spoon candidates who could hold the balance of power won’t come clean, one incumbent also financed by Simon Holmes a Court’s green movement has shown his hand, giving a startling insight into the political reality of minority government, which bookmakers now rate a $2.35 chance.

Although Andrew Wilkie’s demands ­— including a whopping 75 per cent cut to emissions by 2030 ­— will alarm many, the Hobart MP has at least levelled with voters prior to the election.

Which is more than can be said for, or is being said by, so-called “teal independents” on the verge of claiming government-held seats and becoming king-makers if there is a hung parliament.

In an attempt to inform the public about the views of current and potential crossbenchers, News Corp newspapers sent a series of questions to candidates.

Despite repeated attempts over several days, no teal independent was prepared to provide proper answers to the questions — leaving electors in the dark about exactly where they stand on issues ranging from income tax levels and national debt repayment, to asylum seekers and even when Australia Day should be celebrated.

Monique Ryan — who a YouGov poll suggests will defeat Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in the Melbourne seat of Kooyong — declined repeated requests to answer the questions.

On Dr Ryan’s website, the climate section of the “policy priorities” page is just four dot points, one of which is to seek a 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

That’s a pace twice as fast as the trajectory pursued by the Coalition, and also much faster than proposed by alternative prime minister Anthony Albanese (43 per cent).

The policy section of Dr Ryan’s website makes no mention of her views on defence, although she publicly called for a more conciliatory approach to China in a recent debate with Mr Frydenberg.

News Corp’s questions sought specific positions on crucial policy areas, including: “How should Australia respond if China moves to establish a military base on the Solomon Islands?”

The website of top teal Allegra Spender — who could displace Liberal Dave Sharma in the Sydney seat of Wentworth — gushes about “honest politics” and “transparent, accountable government”, but contains just one paragraph on asylum-seeker policy.

Ms Spender not only failed to respond to News Corp’s questions, her office did not return any phone calls, text messages or emails.

She has flagged her desire for a review of the tax system, and recently told the ABC that raising the GST should be “on the table”, however she would not comment when asked by News Corp for her views on the income-tax system.

Even on Ms Spender’s key policy area of climate it is unclear exactly what the self-described “clean energy advocate” stands for.

The “details” of her climate policy fit on one page. The document says she seeks a 50 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2030, but that she also supports Warringah independent Zali Steggall’s climate bill which would enshrine a 60 per cent reduction.

The communications manager for one teal described the questions as a “joke”. Several teal spokespeople told this masthead to go looking for answers on the website of their candidate.

Unlike Ms Spender and Dr Ryan, other teals say on their sites that they broadly support major parties’ defence spending policies.

But some flag concerns about nuclear submarines not hitting the waters until 2040.

“This needs urgent correction,” according to former ABC journalist Zoe Daniel, who is running as a Climate 200-backed independent in the Melbourne seat of Goldstein.

It is unclear what Ms Daniel means by this, and what cost might be attached.

Her office did not answer questions.

YouGov polling predicts Ms Daniel will prevail in Goldstein over incumbent Liberal Tim Wilson.

A further general comment by Ms Steggall, however, suggested the Coalition would struggle to get her on board, even though the seat she represents has never sent a Labor representative to Canberra in its 100-year history.

Ms Steggall said: “At the end of the day Scott Morrison has had three years as Prime Minister, and he has failed to deliver action on climate change, he has failed to deliver the federal integrity commission he promised at the last election, and he has overseen way too many rorts when it comes to spending of public money.”

Climate 200-backed independent Kylea Tink, who is challenging Liberal Trent Zimmerman for the seat of North Sydney, wants an end to offshore detention.

To amplify her reasons, her website contains a link to a video clip in which she says “you only have to read the second verse in our national anthem and it is very clear in our national anthem that we encourage people to come”.

She refused to answer our questions about Operation Sovereign Borders.

But Mr Wilkie did, revealing that he wants the regime completely dismantled, including an end to mandatory detention, offshore processing and temporary visas.

Mr Wilkie also said he was seeking a 75 per cent cut to carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2035 “or sooner” — the same deadline as the Greens.

Mr Wilkie, MP for Clark, additionally disclosed that he does not believe the already-legislated stage-three tax cuts should go ahead, because “they would be a substantial impost on the budget”.

Meanwhile another current crossbencher, north Queensland’s Bob Katter, told NSW Corp “every single boy in secondary school should be taught how to use and maintain a rifle. It should be stored in a school armoury and later a town armoury.”

Independent Dai Le, who is Kristina Keneally’s toughest opposition in the Western Sydney seat of Fowler, also responded to the questionnaire, saying she believes the capital gains tax discount should be changed.

Ms Le said a flat 25 per cent tax should apply, instead of half the individual’s marginal rate.

Ms Le is not connected to the teal movement; she is at $2.70 to win Fowler compared to $1.42 for Labor’s Mrs Keneally.

With additional reporting by Mitch Clarke

Originally published as Climate 200-backed independents Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender, Kylea Tink and Zoe Daniel refuse to answer key questions