Nicolette Boele claims to be a ‘shadow member’; Andrew Charlton’s property high life

Independent Candidate Nicolette Boele. Picture: John Appleyard

The folly of certain teal independents has been chronicled at length in this column since the May election, although our focus has mostly been trained on the antics of a North Sydney MP.

For misconceived behaviour, it’s been hard to look past her assiduous campaigning on climate change … while owning shares in oil and gas companies.

We couldn’t imagine that another teal would arrive so soon to challenge Kylea Tink’s mantle for misspent energy, for dopiness, but the recent activities of Nicolette Boele warrant some attention.

Boele ran for the seat of Bradfield in May against Liberal MP Paul Fletcher, achieving a respectable swing of 20.9 per cent but losing the contest by a convincing margin. By that we mean the electoral authorities were convinced; Boele doesn’t appear to have arrived there yet.

Apparently unwilling to accept the defeat with good grace, as one does in a working democracy, Boele has resurfaced in Bradfield and dubbed herself the seat’s shadow representative. Exactly what that means isn’t clear but her cosplaying as an MP has reached levels that are distressingly unfunny.

Since October, Boele has cut the ribbon on a Shadow Representative Electoral Office (styled like those used by working MPs) and stormed the community with material mimicking the functions of the formally elected representative. You know, the person who actually won the vote.

Simon Holmes a Court and Nicolette Boele at her “shadow” representative office.

Per the website: “I can make representations on your behalf. I help support you to have your voice heard and can help hold those in authority to account for the efficacy of how our systems operate in practice.”

There is a caveat that Boele is not the elected MP, but it’s not easy to locate.

We would jeer harder were it not for the second-hand embarrassment we’re experiencing. If this imposture isn’t one for the electoral authorities then perhaps Fair Trading might be equipped for the assignment.

Spotting a fake MP can hardly be more difficult than plucking out a counterfeit Gucci at the market. If it helps, Boele is the teal wearing the ‘‘visitor’’ tag on visits to federal parliament.

Confusing, too, is a “representative’s pledge” published on the website where Boele promises to “discharge the duties of public office with dignity, care and honour”. Again, is anyone going to break the news to her?

Her campaign launch party (for the 2025 election) was attended, of course, by Climate200 founder Simon Holmes a Court, whose effusive praise for this burlesque should be expected.

“I love this chutzpah,” he tweeted of Boele in October. But is it chutzpah or bright-eyed lunacy? Is it harmless disruption or a subversion of a voting outcome, one that clearly smacks of a former US president and his oily enabler?

North Sydney MP Kylea Tink inside her office at Parliament House. Picture: Martin Ollman

But even merchandising in fantasy comes with some risk. It seems Boele had to apologise so soon into her shadow tenure after posting something on social media that apparently contained the makings of an anti-Semitic trope.

It happened while she was soliciting donations, of course, with the apology sounding extravagantly worse than the alleged offence.

“I am horrified that I inadvertently perpetuated an anti-Semitic trope, and for that I apologise,” she said.

“anti-Semitism is a scourge, like all racism. I clearly do not know enough about its modern language. Please keep holding me to account. I promise to do better.”

Rest assured, we will try.

 

High and mighty

How much more disconnected from the masses can the millionaire member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton get?

The former Rhodes scholar and senior economic adviser to Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd has elevated himself to no less than the 41st floor of a high rise riverside Parramatta apartment building.

It turns out now that the $1.95m home he bought elsewhere in the western suburbs, in the lead-up to his election to parliament, has been rented out for $750 a week.

The plan is for Charlton to renovate the humble single-level, red brick North Parramatta home, but there is no sign yet of any development application to the local council. He and wife Phoebe Arcus, a barrister, also own a $16m mansion in Bellevue Hill.

Federal member for Parramatta and Labor MP Andrew Charlton.

Looks to be that the rookie politician will now look over his western suburbs constituents from the comfort of a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in a building that boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, spa, sauna and gym.

Parking in the basement with immediate access to the lift means little risk of even crossing paths with a voter!

The power couple have also just re-let their Woollahara investment property at $1450 a week and are awaiting approval from Woollahra Council on recently submitted plans for an estimated $616,000 renovation.

Margin Call notes that materials sent to the council and prepared by Woolloomooloo architect Georgina Stromland, of Kenstrom Design, refer to the “owner and occupier” of the home, with Arcus still listing her address as the Victoria Rd mansion.

So many projects in so many homes of which to keep track – and all amid the skyrocketing cost of living and climbing interest rates.