Teal MP Monique Ryan makes desperate cash grab as Kooyong race tightens
Monique Ryan has issued a last-minute plea for donations to counter what she claims are well-funded political attacks from a “powerful conservative ecosystem”.
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Teal MP Dr Monique Ryan has made a desperate plea for supporters to donate $20,000 to her campaign in a bid to counter political attacks, warning the race could come down to fewer than 200 votes.
Dr Ryan is trying to cling onto the former blue-ribbon seat of Kooyong, which she won from former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg at the 2022 poll.
But the independent claims a “powerful conservative ecosystem” including neo-Nazis, Repeal the Teal campaigners and right-wing lobby groups are plotting “co-ordinated, well-funded” attacks against her.
In an email to backers, Dr Ryan says the cash is needed over the next few days for “critical” digital advertising, to “cut through the noise”, reach an estimated 37,000 undecided voters in the electorate and “tell them the truth”.
“This week we’ve seen a scale of attacks I never thought possible – co-ordinated, well-funded, and designed to mislead voters in the final stretch,” she writes.
“These attacks aren’t just coming from the Liberal Party. They’re coming from a powerful conservative ecosystem.”
Dr Ryan claims this includes neo-Nazis disrupting a Kooyong community forum and the Anzac Day service at the Shrine of Remembrance, as well as “Repeal the Teals” campaigners “spreading disinformation at pre-poll booths”.
She also points the finger at groups like Advance Australia, Australians for Prosperity and Better Australia.
“On top of that, the Liberals have their $120m Cormack Foundation war chest, funding wave after wave of attack ads,” the email states.
“This is our last opportunity to fight back. And it’s never been more important.”
Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court has warned that Teals MPs Monique Ryan, Zoe Daniel, Sophie Scamps and Kate Chaney are being outspent, calling on supporters to chip into their 11th hour fighting fund.
Mr Holmes a Court’s email claims almost $690,000 has already been pledged but there was a “gap of roughly $230k remaining” to boost their on-the-ground and digital advertising.
“I am deeply concerned that our opponents have been underestimated, both in terms of their viciousness and the resourcing behind them,” the email states.
“So far there are at least five different front groups that have put up billboards, posters and have dozens of people at polling booths (most of whom appear to be paid employees) handing out misleading and in some cases misogynistic flyers).
“The scale of attack independents are facing on pre-poll is genuinely shocking.
“It’s been awful to hear stories of volunteers on the ground facing verbal abuse and intimidation.”
He also raised concerns that Liberal sources have revealed they’ve saved more than half their advertising budget for these final days of the campaign, saying a disproportionate amount is being pumped into these independent seats.
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Originally published as Teal MP Monique Ryan makes desperate cash grab as Kooyong race tightens
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