SA Senator Alex Antic wants $45k war chest to defeat ‘radical left’ across the nation

SA Senator Alex Antic wants to defeat the ‘radical left’ around the country and he’s asking supporters to pitch in to for a fighting fund.

South Australian senator Alex Antic has asked his supporters to pitch in for a $45,000 “war chest” to help Coalition candidates beat “the radical left” in seats across the country at the May 21 poll.

In an email sent to his supporters, Senator Antic is requesting donations to boost the campaigns of unspecified Coalition candidates.

Boothby hopeful Rachel Swift is facing an uphill battle to retain the crucial marginal seat for the Liberals, with Labor set to benefit from a steady flow of preferences from Climate 200-funded independent candidate Jo Dyer.

But Dr Swift, a moderate candidate, said Senator Antic had not held any discussions with her about using his “war chest” to help her campaign.

A senior Liberal source said the funds raised by Senator Antic would go straight into party coffers and be spent on the federal campaign, with a particular focus on the senate race.

“I’m not up for election – but I urge you to join me in helping those other Liberal candidates who are in tough fights against the radical left,” Senator Antic said in his email.

He warned against a “Labor-Greens alliance” that would “threaten” free speech and “ruin our nation”.

“I’m asking for your support today to help build a $45,000 war chest to equip volunteers, inform voters, and back Liberal candidates who share your values and who’ll fight for what matters,” the email said.

“So please give now to strengthen the fight to stop Labor and the Greens getting into power and compromising your fundamental rights and freedoms.”

Senator Alex Antic. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Dr Rachel Swift, Liberal candidate for Boothby. Picture: RoyVanDerVegt

Senator Antic’s donation page says the money would be used to “help back Liberal candidates who are in a tough battle right now to fight for your values and your freedom”.

Senator Antic did not respond to questions about his fundraising, instead attacking what he termed The Advertiser’s “perplexing fascination”.

In Boothby in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, Dr Swift is fighting to continue her party’s 73-year hold on the seat, after the resignation of Liberal Nicolle Flint.

But new YouGov polling shows Labor’s Louise Miller-Frost is favourite to snatch the seat with 53 per cent of the two party-preferred vote.

The Liberals’ campaign in the marginal seat has been complicated by independed candidate Jo Dyer, who pollsters predict is commanding 11 per cent of first-preference votes.

Last week, Ms Dyer revealed she would be handing her preferences to Labor, further eroding the Dr Swift’s support.

The YouGov poll shows Treasurer Josh Frydenberg would lose his blue-ribbon electorate of Kooyong to Climate 200-funded candidate Monique Ryan.

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Originally published as SA Senator Alex Antic wants $45k war chest to defeat ‘radical left’ across the nation