Vapes, gender and climate teals’ greatest hits

The government doesn’t need the teals to pass its agenda, but the six MPs are claiming a share of the credit.

Independent MPs Zoe Daniel, Sophie Scamps, Allegra Spender, Monique Ryan and Kate Chaney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Teal MPs have nominated more ambitious climate policies – which had already been promised by Labor at the election – among their top achievements in their first year in parliament, with transparency and integrity measures also central to what they say is a “real cultural shift in how politics is done”.

Sunday marks one year since the six professional women, backed by Climate 200, defeated Liberal MPs in affluent, traditionally blue-ribbon seats across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

The Weekend Australian asked them what they believed their most ­important achievement was since entering the House of Representatives. Four of the six teals put pressuring the government to adopt stronger climate policies – including “strengthening” its 43 per cent by 2030 emissions reduction target – at the top of their lists.

“In my case, it has been to convince the government to amend its climate change bill to make it ­explicit that the legislated ­reduction in carbon emissions by 43 per cent is a floor not a ceiling, and to legislate a gender lens within its Jobs and Skills, Secure Jobs, Better Pay and National Reconstruction Fund bills to empower women in the workforce,” Zoe Daniel, the member for Goldstein, said.

Kate Chaney, who represents the Perth seat of Curtin, once held by former deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop, said: “Along with the rest of the expanded crossbench, I have contributed to changing the conversation from party politics and point scoring to working towards reform in areas that matter to my community: climate, integrity, donation transparency, vaping, gambling, the voice, and refugees.”

While the teals have no doubt changed the makeup of the parliament and ensured policies that ­appeal to their electorates are receiving attention, the government does not need to rely on them to pass its legislative agenda – unlike the Senate crossbench.

That didn’t stop the self-­described “community independents” from declaring the major parties now had to listen more to their concerns and wants.

“Where the Morrison government failed to listen to our communities, now our values are being properly reflected in the national conversation – we have a stronger voice, and it’s being heard,” ­Monique Ryan, the member for Kooyong, said.

“Since the election, independents have helped inspire fresh policy ideas, better quality debates, and a real cultural shift in how ­politics is done.”

The Albanese government doesn’t need the support of the teals to pass legislation. Pictured are Kylea Tink, Kate Chaney, Zoe Daniel, Monique Ryan and Allegra Spender during question time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Ms Chaney added: “After a ­period of cynicism, it feels like we have returned to the first principle of democracy – communities being heard in decision-making. In the past year, my greatest achievement has been amplifying the compassionate, optimistic, long-term, responsible thinking that I see in my community.”

Four of the six MPs also said ­integrity policies, such as working on the National Anti-Corruption Commission, had been important in their first year.

Sophie Scamps, who represents the Sydney seat of Mackellar, said the development and tabling of her Ending Jobs for Mates Bill – which the government can choose not to debate in this term of parliament – was her No.1 parliamentary achievement. The bill aims to make major commonwealth appointments more transparent and independent from government.

“The people of Mackellar told me that strengthening integrity in our democracy was one of the top issues they voted on at the 2022 election, so I’ll continue pushing the government to go further on integrity measures in this term,” Dr Scamps said.

Representing Wentworth, former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s previous seat, Allegra Spender said delivering on issues that mattered to her ­constituents was her greatest achievement in the past year.

“Strengthening action on climate change, delivering on integrity and inclusiveness through the National Anti-Corruption Commission, paid parental leave and refugee advocacy, and standing for business and households on economic reform by driving tax reform and improving the government’s flawed industrial relations legislation,” she said.

The member for North Sydney, Kylea Tink, said she was most proud of her private member’s bill to improve the quality of cars on the road, reduce transport emissions and help bring down fuel costs for motorists.

North Sydney MP Kylea Tink after the NACC bill passed the House of Representatives. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I was able to deliver an amendment to the safeguard mechanism and I successfully campaigned for the extension of single parenting payments to those with children over eight, announced in the budget,” she said. “I was integral to delivering a code of conduct for parliamentarians and their staff. It still amazes me that there ­previously wasn’t one.”

Dr Ryan said playing a role in delivering cost-of-living relief for more than six million Australians by pushing the government to halve the cost of more than 300 common prescription medications was her proudest achievement.