Revealed: Teals tried poaching high-profile Liberals Kellie Sloane and Maria Kovacic

After overthrowing top Liberals in Federal seats, the ‘teals’ are eyeing prominent Liberal women in a bid to oust the Coalition in the NSW state election.

Former television presenter Kellie Sloane was scouted by members of the Climate 200 backed “Teal” movement in a bid for her to run against the Liberal party in 2023, just a week after she lost preselection for the Willoughby by-election.

Ms Sloane, who was backed by a number of Liberal moderates as a “future cabinet minister” lost preselection to the conservative-backed Tim James ahead of the Willoughby by-election in February.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that after Ms Sloane lost preselection, she was approached by an associate of a Teal candidate, who offered to support Ms Sloane running as an independent in next year’s state election.

The Telegraph understands that Ms Sloane declined the offer to have a further meeting.

She is one of several prominent women with links to the Liberal party being eyed by Climate 200-backed groups ahead of the 2023 poll.

The teal women who swept ScoMo from power. Photo: Supplied

It can also be revealed that Western Sydney Women co-founder Maria Kovacic was approached by a “teal” group, in a bid for her to run as an independent in Bennelong in the May election.

The approach came before Ms Kovacic was selected to run for the Liberal party in Parramatta, in a contest she ultimately lost.

Liberal sources told The Telegraph that Climate 200 backed teal groups are trying to poach women who may be “disengaged” with the party.

“They were targeting women who were disengaged within their own party … They basically have a recruiter who goes out and seeks women for it,” a Liberal source said.

“They were looking for people who hold leadership positions.”

The Teals unsuccessfully tried to poach former Today Show host Kellie Sloane. Picture: John Feder

Former Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s massive margin in Willoughby was all but wiped out in February’s by-election, with independent candidate Larissa Penn securing a large portion of the vote.

Liberals are concerned that if Ms Penn runs again, with backing from organised groups like those that installed teal candidates in Canberra, Mr James’ may lose the blue ribbon seat.

Ms Penn said she was focused on local issues including the environmental impact of transport projects and overdevelopment.

“Willoughby is under threat more because the state government is failing the community. That is the biggest threat. It’s not if the Teals come in or not,” she said.

Sources say Conservative-backed Tim James is almost certainly a target in the state election. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mr James said he would not take his electorate “for granted”.

“People will ultimately make the best judgment about who can serve this electorate now and going forward. I don’t take anything for granted. These days there is no such thing as a safe seat.”

If Health Minister Brad Hazzard retires, his Northern Beaches seat could also be a target for the climate-focused group next year.

Community group North Sydney’s Independent — which helped Kylea Tink boot moderate Liberal Trent Zimmerman out of his safe North Sydney electorate — gas marked Lane Cove, North Shore, and Willoughby as potential targets.

Ms Sloane and Climate 200 backer Simon Holmes a Court declined to comment.