Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court ‘Palmer of the left’: Warren Mundine

Prominent Indigenous leader Warren Mundine says insulting comments made by Simon Holmes a Court were a ‘disgrace’ but unsurprising.

Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court. Picture: AAP

Prominent Indigenous leader Warren Mundine says insulting comments made by Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court were a “disgrace” but unsurprising, and that the son of Australia’s first billionaire is just “Clive Palmer but on the left”.

Mr Mundine, chair of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation, on Saturday was ­attacked on Twitter by Mr Holmes a Court, who labelled the former Liberal candidate a “grub” and a “flog” after he reposted an article by The Australian about Climate 200-backed candidate Zoe Daniel’s criticism of Israel.

Mr Mundine said he was a “big supporter” of the Jewish community and Israel, as he labelled the Climate 200 founder’s reaction a “very angry response” but added he was “just trying to throw his weight around”.

Independent candidate for Goldstein, Zoe Daniel. Picture: Ian Currie

The Liberal Party’s candidate for Gilmore at the 2019 federal election, Mr Mundine said claims the Climate 200-backed independents were not a political party were simply “rubbish”.

“It’s just rubbish, they’re virtually mouthing the same things, they’re all funded by the same bloke,” he said. “He’s trying to do a Clive Palmer but on the left. There’s no doubt about it.

“He’s just one of those filthy-rich spoiled brats who think they … influence elections by spending millions and millions of dollars.”

Mr Mundine’s salvo came as the Climate 200 independents launched their election campaign.

On the famous Bondi Beach promenade, Allegra Spender, daughter of the late Carla Zampatti and NSW Liberal royalty, hugged locals clad in Speedos and made her pitch to be Wentworth’s second independent candidate in four years. “Since the last election there have been historic floods, historic bushfires, and historic drought. This moment is urgent. Let’s make it a historic election,” Ms Spender tweeted.

Independent candidate for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, campaigning at Bondi. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I want my children to be able to look at what goes on in parliament with pride. At the moment I don’t think they can. It’s time to make parliament the best example of our culture, not the worst.”

In Goldstein, the seat of moderate Liberal Tim Wilson, former ABC reporter Zoe Daniel said she was “no radical”, but it was time to act, and “make history”.

“A vote for your community-backed independent for Goldstein is safer than sticking with the status quo,” Ms Daniel said. “Because from me you will get honest and sincere leadership, reasoned decision-making and someone who listens and acts in good faith and with sincere intent.”

A big crowd turned out in Hawthorn for the campaign launch of Independent Dr Monique Ryan. Picture: Ian Currie

Independent Monique Ryan, challenging Josh Frydenberg in inner-Melbourne Kooyong, launched her campaign on Sunday afternoon in Hawthorn.

Jo Dyer, the independent candidate for the marginal South Australian seat of Boothby, echoed Ms Daniel, saying “more of the same is not an option for us here”. “The problems we’re facing, whether it’s climate change or the crisis in care, the corruption in politics and the lack of respect for women and girls, they’re big problems and they’re getting bigger. We need immediate change.”

Amid questions about the ­independence of Climate 200-backed independents, Ms Dyer said the Liberals, Labor and the Greens were all “bound by national policy priorities and secret deals that they’ve done with their donors and their Coalition partners”.

Mr Holmes a Court declined to comment.