Warringah MP Zali Steggall nominated for emerging political leader award for climate change

Pushing for action on climate change has led to Warringah federal independent MP Zali Steggall picking up a nomination for a prestigious political leadership award.

A relentless campaign for local action on climate could see Warringah’s independent MP Zali Steggall officially named as one of the Australia’s political leaders of the future.

Ms Steggall has been nominated for a prestigious public prize that recognises people who are making a difference by focusing on issues that affect their community.

The Winter Olympic medallist, who snatched Warringah from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in 2019, has made the final six for the Emerging Leader of the Year category in the McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership 2020.

Zali Steggall during Question Time in the House of Representatives in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Gary Ramage

It is open to Australian politicians with fewer than five years in office.

Organisers describe the prize as a “new, nonpartisan and independent award that recognises outstanding Australian political leaders”. It is a collaboration between the

Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne.

The foundation says it is committed to working with all sides of politics to find common ground and practical ways to solve some of Australia’s major challenges.

It added Ms Steggall to the list of finalists for introducing the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Private Members’ Bill in early 2020. The foundation said the Bill was widely praised across all sides of politics and by more than 100 Australian businesses.

Former Olympian Zali Steggall taking part in a 10km fun run on the northern beaches. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Steggall said on Monday she was honoured to be nominated as an emerging political leader.

“Entering politics as an independent MP was one of the best decisions I have made as I can hold the government to account and have introduced a Climate Change Bill to legislate net zero emissions by 2050.

“I am so proud to represent the Warringah community’s desire for more integrity and accountability in Australian politics.”

Last week Ms Steggall told the Manly Daily that she can achieve more on climate change than any Liberal in the seat would be allowed.

She said she has helped pile the pressure on the government – along with calls from the international community – to do better on the environment.

Despite accusations from rivals that she is a lame duck, she said her work on climate change has contributed to the government’s change of language around emissions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has gone on the record to say the government will seek to meet tougher emissions targets by 2050. Whether that has anything to do with Ms Steggall’s campaigning can’t be proven.

Zali Steggall taking on the Government during House of Representatives’ Question Time. Picture: Lukas Coch

Nevertheless, it appears there is plenty of support from Australians for Ms Steggall’s bill, which was referred to a federal inquiry and received 6500 submissions, an extraordinary number for a private member’s bill.

Over a two-day hearing those who voiced their support for the bill included multinational businesses such as Unilever, Business Council Australia, the Australian Medical Association, scientists as well as a Nobel Peace prize winner.

Ms Steggall said while she’s helping to keep the issue in the public domain, a Liberal in her position simply wouldn’t be allowed to do the same because they would have to tow the party line.

“I know within the Coalition many Liberals believe in climate change,” she said. “But they are held to ransom by people within the party who don’t.

“As a result the government and the Prime Minister tiptoes around this (issue).”

Right: Zali Steggall, independent MP for Warringah, and friend Susan, who are both members of the Ultra Trail du Month Blanc group. They are pictured at a 10km fun run on the northern beaches. Picture: Supplied.

Sources within the Liberal Party admit any candidate that goes up against Ms Steggall at the next election must believe the science on climate change if they are to win over voters.

Included in a list of Liberals believed to be seeking preselection are Jane Buncle, a top flight barrister; Natalie Ward who is on the NSW Legislative Council, Sasha Grebe, a former advisor to Scott Morrison, and young up and coming Liberal Alex Dore.

Jane Buncle, 33, of Manly, is a top flight barrister and is tipped to put herself forward for preselection for the seat of Warringah.

Senator Andrew Bragg, the chosen Liberal spokesman for Warringah, has led the charge on criticisms of Ms Steggall saying she has been “ineffective” in the job.

Minister Foreign Affairs Marise Payne with Senator Andrew Bragg at the new Liberal headquarters for Warringah, Liberal House, Balgowlah. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Steggall argued that was not true and, as well as the work she’s doing on climate change, there are many small wins that benefit the community like assisting schools and sporting groups with their applications for federal grants.

She has also been busy supporting people with their applications for the NDIS, aged care and Centrelink. During COVID she has helped many locals stuck abroad or who needed help travelling overseas due to family emergencies and advocated for businesses.

Independent Member for Warringah Zali Steggall poses for a portrait at Parliament House in Canberra. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

During the lockdown she was in daily contact with Health Minister Greg Hunt, reporting back to him on long waiting times at COVID testing centres and how to help the elderly get tests.

She said other things she is working on is improving the accountability of those in politics, in terms of donation laws, as well as seeking to clean up campaigning during elections.

Independent for Warringah Zali Steggall celebrates her win at Manly Pacific Novotel on Election Day in Sydney, Saturday, 18 May, 2019. (AAP Image/Dylan Coker)

Asked whether her grassroots supporters nicknamed the ‘turquoise army’ are happy with her work, Ms Steggall said she has had positive feedback, but she doesn’t know whether they will back at her the next election.