Climate change top of voters’ minds in Wentworth by-election

Pre-poll voting for Malcolm Turnbull’s old seat opened today as independent candidate Kerryn Phelps said fossil fuels would “undoubtedly” be an issue.

Independent candidate for Wentworth Kerryn Phelps campaigns in Rushcutters Bay today. Picture: AAP

Candidates hoping to steal Wentworth from the Liberal Party in the upcoming by- election are increasingly focusing on climate change and the Morrison government’s perceived lack of commitment in tackling the issue.

Pre-poll voting for the Sydney eastern suburbs seat opened today as independent candidate and local GP Kerryn Phelps said climate change would “undoubtedly” be a major campaign issue over the coming weeks. She unveiled a six-point plan that includes banning fossil fuel companies from donating to political parties and the end of government subsidies for all fossil fuel projects.

Labor’s Tim Murray, the Greens’ Dominic Wy Kanak and another independent, Licia Heath, all listed climate change action before other policies on material available at polling booths.

Liberal candidate Dave Sharma’s material instead focused on a “strong economy and secure future”.

Labor candidate Tim Murray also listed climate change action in his election material Picture: John Appleyard

Dr Phelps said the federal coalition did not have a climate policy and, regardless of his own views, Mr Sharma would have to follow the party line. “The Liberal Party is dominated by the hard right which is dominated by climate change denialists,” she told reporters today.

The former Australian Medical Association president believes she could make a difference in parliament if she were to win the October 20 by-election. “We are in a unique moment in Australian political history where one vote will make a difference to legislation going forward,” she said.

Mr Sharma argues climate change is real and he wants Australia to “address its emissions” and meet the country’s Paris Agreement commitments. But he doesn’t appear to support Dr Phelps’ call for a ban on certain political donations.

He cited the benefits which energy and mining companies have provided - such as employment, contributions to the national economy’s strength and lifting millions of people in China and India out of poverty. “I’m all for transparency and any donations above a certain amount are disclosed under federal rules and I think that should remain the case,” Mr Sharma told reporters on Tuesday.

The Morrison government’s one-seat majority in the lower house relies on the Liberal candidate retaining Wentworth.

AAP