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Simon Holmes à Court

Yesterday

Newly elected senator David Pocock has raised concerns about the abolition of the construction watchdog.

David Pocock leaves the Climate 200 mothership

The first-term ACT senator has weaned himself off the political campaign group’s money. Some in the teal and independent movements say that’s not a bad thing.

This Month

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court has accused large-scale wind energy companies of arrogance.

Wind farm companies have been ‘arrogant’: Holmes a Court

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court says many large-scale renewables projects had not adequately consulted local communities.

Simon Holmes will say: “I’m not running for office, and the truth is parliament does not need more people like me in it. It needs more locals with real community standing.”

Donation laws ‘tilted towards the major parties’: Holmes à Court

Climate 200 founder and teal benefactor Simon Holmes à Court wants consistent rules on cash for elections.

February

Independent MPs Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall, Sophie Scamps, Zoe Daniel and Monique Ryan all back tax reform, including changes to negative gearing.

The 12 teal battlegrounds to watch out for this election

Climate 200 is backing 35 community independents this federal election – here are the dozen who are likely to retain or gain a seat in federal parliament.

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes à Court rejects claims he controls independent MPs elected with the group’s support.

Donations deal strikes at the heart of Climate 200’s business model

Reforms to political donations laws will make it harder for campaign groups to bankroll candidates, but whether the changes can stop the move away from the major parties is yet to be seen.

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Special Minister of State Don Farrell engineered the overhaul, which has been a work in progress since 2022.

Crossbench shut out of political donations overhaul

Teal MPs and the Greens have slammed a deal by the major parties to revamp electoral funding laws.

Kate Chaney is keen to point out she’s an independent.

Three generations of Holmes a Courts are helping Kate Chaney

The family may provide art, campaign financing and unpaid admin assistance to the Perth MP, but the teals are still independent.

January

The biggest financial backers of Climate 200 revealed

Two investors donated about $1 million each to the teal fundraising vehicle, while a 94-year-old grandfather matched donations up to $1000 for each year of his life.

December 2024

Bradfield candidate Nicolette Boele is running for a second time.

Climate 200’s plan for a second teal wave

The nonprofit political campaign group is targeting up to 30 seats at the 2025 election, trying to level the playing field against the major parties.

Independent candidate for McPherson Erchana Murray-Bartlett

Why glitzy Gold Coast is the next teal battleground

Erchana Murray-Bartlett ran the equivalent of 150 marathons in as many days last year. Now she’s running for federal parliament as an independent backed by Climate 200.

October 2024

Pittwater candidates Liberal Georgia Ryburn (left) and independent Jacqui Scruby electioneering on Saturday.

Liberals draw few conclusions from NSW teal victory

A teal independent has wrestled another blue-ribbon seat from the Liberals, this time in NSW, but the party is reluctant to draw conclusions.

This week on The Fin podcast, political editor Phillip Coorey and AFR Magazine editor Matthew Drummond take us behind the scenes of the 2024 Power Issue.

Who’s up and down in this year’s Power List – and who wanted to get out

This week on The Fin podcast, political editor Phillip Coorey and AFR Magazine editor Matthew Drummond take us behind the scenes of the 2024 Power Issue.

September 2024

The forces that shaped 2024’s list of Australia’s most powerful people

Someone wasn’t happy to be on this year’s Power list. But even Power listers have no say in the process.

The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2024

Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.

July 2024

Wellard backer Paul  Holmes a Court is one of Australia’s biggest cattle producers.

Agribusiness sells livestock vessel and share price jumps 117pc

Paul Holmes à Court-backed Wellard is selling its oldest carrier, the Ocean Ute, in a move that has more than doubled the company’s share price.

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June 2024

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court.

Simon Holmes à Court opposed cancelled nuclear speech

A nuclear energy scientist had his speech cancelled by Engineers Australia after social media pressure from the Climate 200 founder.

April 2024

Simon Holmes-a-Court.

Climate 200 targets 20 more seats including Dutton’s

Bradfield in northern Sydney, held by Liberal shadow minister Paul Fletcher, tops the teal movement’s list. It is also eyeing Peter Dutton’s seat, Dickson.

February 2024

David Griffin, is the chief executive of 5B, which has developed unique Maverick technology that more swiftly deploys solar panel arrays.

Solar firm 5B readies Indian manufacturing after $50m US deal

The company will build a US Customs-compliant plant partnership with top Indian panel maker and engineering group Waaree.

November 2023

David Griffin, the former CEO of Sun Cable. is to take the top job at rapid solar rollout company 5B

Ex-Sun Cable CEO takes top job at solar rollout firm

David Griffin’s role as seed investor of 5B – a preferred supplier to Sun Cable – was a sticking point for billionaire ex-backer Andrew Forrest.

June 2023

Supporters of teal independent Monique Ryan at the Auburn Hotel during the election campaign.

Caps on political donations to keep ‘big money’ out of elections

But the teal independent movement argues caps set too low could nobble their ability to compete with the entrenched major parties.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/simon-holmes---court-6fkr