I’ll run my own race, says treasurer’s conqueror Monique Ryan

Climate 200 backed independent Monique Ryan says donors will not influence her politics at Parliament.

Supporters greet Monique Ryan on Sunday after the paediatric neurologist defeated Josh Frydenberg in the Melbourne seat of Kooyong. Picture: Arsineh Houspian

Monique Ryan has stood firm on her policy priorities and rejected suggestions that campaign donors such as millionaire Climate 200 convener Simon Holmes a Court would influence her politics when she arrives in Canberra.

The Climate 200-backed independent, who is set to win the Liberal seat of Kooyong from Josh Frydenberg, said while Mr Holmes a Court has been a “minor donor” he was not part of her campaign team.

“Climate 200 was a donor to my campaign and to the campaign of several of the other independents around Australia and Mr Holmes a Court is convener of Climate 200,” Dr Ryan said on Sunday.

“On an individual basis he has been a minor donor to my campaign, but he’s not a part of the campaign team and I don’t anticipate that there’ll be a whole lot of active engagement with him once I get to Canberra.”

Climate 200 has donated $12m to independent candidates across the country, with Dr Ryan’s campaign pocketing about $500,000, making up just under one-third of her total donations sum.

The community crowd-funded initiative that attracted about 11,000 donors supports “political candidates committed to a science-based response to the climate crisis, restoring integrity to politics and advancing gender equity”.

Dr Ryan was met with a sea of teal supporters outside her election headquarters in Melbourne’s east on Sunday, just 12 hours after more than 1000 people packed the Auburn Hotel for her election party.

Dr Ryan reaffirmed her policy priorities – including action on climate change, integrity and honesty in politics and equality, respect and safety for women – and said the Treasurer lost Kooyong because he didn’t “ask the community” what it wanted.

“Mr Frydenberg really didn't engage … he didn’t talk about climate change in this electorate. He didn’t talk about gender equity in this electorate,” Dr Ryan said.

As of 5pm, Dr Ryan was leading Mr Frydenberg on first-preference votes 42.4 per cent to 41.8 per cent.