What you said about federal election candidates who insist they’re not Teal

They are being promoted on the website for advocacy group Climate 200 – but whatever you do, don’t call these six independent candidates Teals. HAVE YOUR SAY

Independent candidates for the upcoming election. Erchana Murray-Bartlett (McPherson) and Nicole Arrowsmith (Moncrieff). Picture: Adam Head

They are being promoted on the website for advocacy group Climate 200 – but whatever you do, don’t call these six independent candidates Teals.

Many readers aren’t buying it, however, as it’s revealed the climate-focused group, founded by billionaire Simon Holmes à Court, uses crowd funding and helps bankroll campaigns for economically conservative, environmentalists.

The group confirmed it had already donated up to $50,000 to “community groups” endorsing independents’ campaigns within four Queensland electorates of McPherson, Moncrieff, Fisher, and Fairfax.

The group also has endorsed independents in Groom as well as in Dickson – Peter Dutton’s seat in north west Brisbane.

Environmental consultant Ellie Smith will challenge Opposition leader Mr Dutton in Dickson.

Mr Dutton said he did not class Ms Smith as a Teal but rather as a second Greens candidate under the guise of independency.

Erchana Murray-Bartlett (McPherson) and Nicole Arrowsmith (Moncrieff) at Burleigh Heads. Picture: Adam Head

Social worker Suzie Holt will run her second federal election campaign for the Darling Downs seat of Groom.

Nicole Arrowsmith will run against the Moncrieff MP Angie Bell, who holds the seat with a 11.19 per cent margin.

“I’m not aligned with any party, in terms of Teals or the other independents, they’re achieving great things and I’ve got a lot of respect for them,” she said.

Erchana Murray-Bartlett will contest the southern Gold Coast seat of McPherson, with retiring LNP MP Karen Andrews leaving with a 9.34 per cent margin.

Airconditioning business operator Francine Wiig will contest the Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax.

“The term ‘Teal’ is a media label, not a political label,” she said.

Her neighbouring division of Fisher will be contested by Keryn Jones, who is a solar energy advocate.

So what do readers think?

Many insist despite the denials the six women candidates are Teals.

Others, though, described the current election process a mess.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Not buying it

Jo

They are Teals. It’s a shade of green.

Gary K

“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck”

In this case the ducks are greenies.

Bystander

So, what’s a better word for them than “Teals”? “Hypocrites “?

Freddy

They’re funded by climate 200. They’re teals

Suzie Holt. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It’s a mess

James

The fracturing of Australia continues. Rural and Regional communities who understand the environment bring lectured to by do called environmentalists who have never had dirt between their toes. I only hope they don’t get their deposits back.

Dave

A vote for the Teals = A Vote for the Greens = A Vote for Labor and 3 more years of achieving nothing and ignoring Australians with the their divisive Agendas. We can’t afford Albo and his comrades sending Australia down the drain.

Linda

What an absolute waste of a vote. Do you really think they can make a difference! Preferences will go to labour! Mr

Anthony

Where is the electoral commission? The so called climate 200 is a political party but is not classified as one, it is wrong.

Western Rod

Australia desperately needs first past the post fair elections to get rid of dummy candidates

Ellie Smith is running against Peter Dutton in Dickson. Picture: Liam Kidston

No thank you

Nicholas

Great a list of people to avoid voting for

Graeme

These are the folks destroying our nation and they are funded by big businesses who gain from the policies they push.

KimA

Thankfully outside of inner Brisbane the people of Queensland aren’t that stupid.

ScubaSteve

Wolves in sheep’s clothing. They have to be fully exposed for their beliefs.

Ashley

Why are they only running in LNP held seats? To maximise anti-LNP vote and give preferences to radical greens and Labor. A very thinly disguised front.

Originally published as What you said about federal election candidates who insist they’re not Teal