The outbreak of teal candidates expressing reservations about offshore wind projects ahead of the federal election is an example of how political self-interest colours Australia’s energy policy debate.

Independent candidate Alex Dyson is running for the south-westVictorian seat of Wannon. Dyson is backed by the Climate 200 group that campaigned on stronger action on climate change and helped elect six teal MPs at the 2022 election. Yet he is questioning the benefits to the local community of Alinta Energy’s $4 billion Spinifex wind farm off the coast of Warrnambool and Port Fairy. The project, which is in the Albanese government’s proposed Southern Ocean offshore wind zone, was granted a feasibility licence by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen last week.