Rebekha Sharkie says her voters would ‘expect’ her to side with the Coalition

Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie would feel “uncomfortable” toppling a sitting government in a hung parliament, revealing her community “expects” her to speak with Scott Morrison first.

Climate 200-backed independent Rebekha Sharkie has revealed she would negotiate with the Coalition first to help Scott Morrison form government in the event of a hung parliament.

The Mayo MP’s admission will separate her from “teal” independents who are intent on toppling Coalition MPs across the country with the help of climate activist group, Climate 200.

Many of the Climate 200-backed candidates are expected to lean towards Labor in the increasingly likely event of a hung parliament.

Ms Sharkie said she believed the responsibility to change the government “lies with the broader Australian community”.

“The prospect of one person choosing to change government when a clear mandate has not been given by the Australian people makes me uncomfortable,” she told The Advertiser.

“In the unlikely event of a hung parliament, my community would expect me to speak with the current government first.

“I would afford the ALP the same courtesy if they were in government.”

Rebekha Sharkie said her voters would “expect” her to go to the Coalition first if there was a hung parliament.

Ms Sharkie was at pains to stress her “allegiance” was to the community of Mayo, “not to any major party or movement”.

“The seat of Mayo has never been held by the Labor Party and I am cognisant of that. However, I do not support any party except Centre Alliance,” she said.

Ms Sharkie said she would continue to vote on every Bill “based on merit and in the interests of my community”.

Mayo was previously held by former Liberal Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer between 1984 and 2008. It was then held by Liberal MP Jamie Briggs before Ms Sharkie snatched the seat in 2016.

Ms Sharkie said she would have a “pretty long shopping list” if there was a hung parliament, pushing for an anti-corruption watchdog, action on climate change and water security for the River Murray.

She would also demand comprehensive national housing policies before siding with either major parties.

Ms Sharkie has previously refused to reveal who she would back if there was a hung parliament, where neither party is able to secure 76 seats to form government.

“My allegiance is to the community of Mayo, not to any major party,” Ms Sharkie said last week.

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Originally published as Rebekha Sharkie says her voters would ‘expect’ her to side with the Coalition