Coalition takes aim at teals over ‘record of leaning Green’

The teals have been accused of siding with the Greens in at least two-thirds of all divisions during Labor’s three years in power.

Zali Steggall, Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney in the House of Representatives. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Teal independents have sided with the Greens in at least two-thirds of all divisions during ­Anthony Albanese’s three years in power, according to research by the parliament library.

As the Coalition battles to reclaim once blue-ribbon seats it lost in 2022, the research provided to the Coalition shows that the seven teal MPs voted with the Greens between 66 per cent and 77 per cent of the time on all divisions from the start of the parliamentary term to February 13.

As the Coalition ramps up its attacks on the teals for being “deceptive Greens” ahead of the election on May 3, the analysis has revealed the independents voted with the minor party on second-reading motions between 83 per cent and 70 per cent of the time.

When it comes to second-reading motions, Sophie Scamps voted with the Greens 83 per cent of the time, Zoe Daniel 81 per cent, Zali Steggall 78, Monique Ryan 76, Kate Chaney 71 and Allegra Spender 70. Outgoing teal MP Kylea Tink, whose seat of North Sydney was absorbed in an electoral redrawn, voted in line with the Greens on 78 per cent of second-reading motions. Indi MP Helen Haines backed the party 79 per cent of the time.

The independent MPs identified in the research have disputed the findings, arguing that their voting record reflects a more balanced political alignment based on alternative figures.

On all divisions, Dr Ryan voted with the Greens 77 per cent of the time, Ms Daniel 76, Dr Scamps 74, Ms Steggall 71, Ms Chaney 68 and Ms Spender 66. Ms Tink voted 73 per cent in line with the Greens on divisions and Ms Haines 76.

Liberal MP Garth Hamilton, who has been closely observing the teals’ voting records, said the data showed the risk posed by a Labor minority government run with the support of the teals.

“It couldn’t be more clear to the Australian people now, who these people are,” he said. “The stories that these were disaffected Liberals have been proven false – they’re very deceptive Greens.”

Wentworth MP Allegra Spender. Picture: NewsWire/Monique Harmer.

The analysis showed the independents voted with the Coalition on 33 per cent of divisions on average and on 20 per cent of second-reading motions. They also sided with Labor on 44 per cent of all ­divisions on average, and on 73 per cent of second-reading motions.

Ms Spender said the figures were “highly misleading”, disputing that her voting history was so strongly aligned with the Greens and arguing that, by the same metrics, the Liberal MP who previously held her seat, Dave Sharma, voted 99 per cent in line with Pauline Hanson.

“I have supported 60 per cent of votes put forward by the ­Coalition, 50 per cent by Labor, and 45 per cent by the Greens,” she said. Disputing the methodology of the analysis, Ms Chaney said her true political leanings should be calculated based on the number of proposals from each party which she had backed rather than how often she had “voted with them”.

Dr Ryan also rejected the figures, pointing to data which showed over 504 divisions since she was elected and November, she had voted in line with Labor on 51 per cent of occasions, with the Coalition on 42 per cent and the Greens on 57 per cent.

Goldstein MP Zoe Daniel. Picture: NewsWire/Nadir Kinani.

Dr Scamps said it was “sad that the Coalition is attempting to win an election based on a misinformation campaign and attack ads rather than with good ideas and good policies”.

She said she voted with Labor on 45 per cent of motions, the ­Coalition 42 per cent and the Greens 56 per cent.

Ms Daniel has presented her own figures, saying she had voted with the government in 53 per cent of Labor’s 234 motions which she attended, with the Coalition on 41 per cent of 131 motions it put forward and in favour of 52 per cent of 46 Greens motions.

Ms Steggall said the figures were “incorrect”, and she had supported 52 per cent of Labor motions, 52 per cent of Liberal and 54 per cent of Greens motions.

“The Coalition data misrepresents my voting record because it is also counting when the Greens supported my motions – and I have no control about how they vote,” she said.

Declaring she was “proud” of her voting record and that she reviews each bill on its merits, Ms Haines said she attended divisions at almost twice the rate of some Coalition backbenchers.

“My opponents seek to distort my voting record to discredit my independence, but what they don’t say is how often the Coalition doesn’t turn up to vote on amendments moved by myself and my crossbench colleagues,” she said.