Federal Election 2022: Teal revolution’s next target revealed

Those behind the rise of the game-changing ‘teal’ independents have warned of plans for a new takeover.

Those behind the rise of the ‘teal’ independents have warned state MPs could be targeted next.

It comes as up to six new ‘teals’ will join the crossbench after Saturday’s federal election, wiping out a stack of moderate Liberals, including the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

Leonie Scarlett, one of the original members of the Voices of Mackellar movement on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, said following the election result state politicians needed “to be put on notice”.

She said through the consultation process, which started as kitchen table conversations and later community surveys, the strongest message from voters was that they had not been listened to for years.

Among some of their concerns were state issues.

Independent candidate Dr. Sophie Scamps casts her vote in the electorate of Mackellar. Picture: Getty Images

Dr Sophie Scamps won the Sydney seat of Mackellar on Saturday from Jason Falinski, which had been the former seat of Bronwyn Bishop and a Liberal stronghold for 70 years.

Ms Scarlett, who resigned from Voices of Mackellar to later become a campaign manager for Dr Scamps, said politicians needed “to start listening to the community”.

She said the main concern for constituents was the federal government’s inaction on climate change, but the one state issue that was constantly raised in Mackellar was over development.

“There’s been a lot of development and so we’re watching,” Ms Scarlett said.

Zali Steggall on election day.

Dr Scamps said while there was not the same level of discontent at state level as there was at federal, there was still some dissatisfaction.

“It really comes down to each electorate and whether that representative is doing their best to represent their community,” Dr Scamps said on Monday.

“It’s about genuine representation.”

She claimed people were fed up with career politicians saying one thing but following the party line.

“The great thing about being independent is there are no more steps,” Dr Scamps said.

“My career begins and ends here, representing the community.”

Mr Falinski had previously said he would cross the floor on certain issues such as the environment, but that he had found more success by working with, rather than against the party.

Meanwhile, fellow ‘teal’ and independent Zali Steggall from neighbouring Warringah said in her victory speech on Saturday that she had wanted to see more smart, professional women in Canberra and “through the community movement” gender parity had been achieved.

Dr Scamps said women did not see Canberra as being a welcoming place for women, especially the male-dominated Coalition.

The Liberal Party has previously acknowledged it needs to attract more women into politics.

Ironically, Mr Falinski was one Liberal MP who had been pushing for more females in parliament and had called for the party to headhunt women from all walks of life to better represent the community.

Originally published as Federal Election 2022: Teal revolution’s next target revealed