NSW Liberals facing a possible ‘teal tempest’ at poll

The NSW government is facing a full-throated ‘teal’ wave at the March election.

Climate 200 executive director Byron Fay says the group was holding preliminary discussions with several independents. Picture: AAP

The NSW government is facing a full-throated “teal” wave at the March election, with the Simon Holmes a Court-backed Climate 200 confirming the organisation has held discussions with independents in six affluent, Liberal-held seats across Sydney.

The Australian understands independents in the northern beaches seats of Pittwater, vacated by the retiring Rob Stokes, and Environment Minister James Griffin’s seat of Manly, have reached out to Climate 200 as part of early conversations about what support would look like at the upcoming poll.

The other seats include Davidson, set to be contested by Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward, North Shore, Vaucluse and Lane Cove, held by Planning Minister Anthony Roberts for almost 20 years.

Climate 200 executive director Byron Fay said the group was holding preliminary discussions with several independents.

“Climate 200 is in the early ­stages of considering what level of involvement it may have in the NSW election,” he said.

“A number of community independent groups have approached Climate 200, but discussions are in an early stage.”

The Australian understands none of the independents has asked for financial backing, and Climate 200 is yet to assess howcampaign finance laws in NSW would affect its participation.

After announcing her candidacy early, Vaucluse independent candidate Karen Freyer confirmed she had held “very preliminary discussions” with Climate 200. She said she would strive to change the “jobs for mates” culture in government, while claiming her electorate was ready for a “different kind of politics”.

“I am not beholden to big donors, industry lobbyists or party factions; I can bring the voice of Vaucluse directly to the state parliament,” she said.

North Sydney Independents spokeswoman Kristen Lock confirmed the group, whose targeted seats include Lane Cove, North Sydney and potentially Willoughby, was seeking financial support from Climate 200.

“We have been in contact with C200 keeping them updated with our plans and progress and certainly would like their financial support of course,” she said.

Despite the government’s ostensibly strong record on climate change and reforms targeting women’s participation, independents believe sustainability at the state level is likely to prove pertinent, along with the scandal surrounding John Barilaro’s appoint­ment as a trade commissioner.

Six teal independents stunned the political establishment and favoured Liberal opponents at the federal election in May, winning blue-ribbon seats across ­Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Teal independents in NSW will be confronted with barriers not faced by their federal peers. Optional preferential voting means they are unlikely to see strong preferences flow to them from other parties, making it harder to win from second place.

The task is not impossible, however. Local community advocate Larissa Penn came within a whisker of defeating her conservative Liberal opponent, Tim James, at the Willoughby by-election in February. She delivered a 13.5 per cent swing despite having just a three-week campaign.

Many Liberal insiders consider Mr James among those most at risk of losing at the election.