Kerryn Phelps backs Conservation Foundation push for key marginals

Kerryn Phelps will today back a Conservation Foundation push to target three marginal seats at the next federal election.

Kerryn Phelps will back a Conservation Foundation push to target three marginal seats at the next federal election. Picture: Kym Smith.

Kerryn Phelps will today back a Conservation Foundation push to target three marginal seats at the next federal election as she names climate change as one of the three main factors behind her Wentworth win.

Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy will announce plans to target the Liberal marginals of Chisholm and Bonner and the Labor seat of Macnamara when she addresses the National Press Club this afternoon.

“I’m going along (to the Press Club) to lend my support to the issues around climate change and its impact of human health ... I’m science-trained and I believe the science,” Dr Phelps told the ABC’s AM program this morning.

“There were three main issues that really motivated people in Wentworth ... there is no question that action on climate change and indeed government inaction on climate change was a very prominent issue in that campaign.”

When asked where climate policy ranked in her priorities in parliament, Dr Phelps said it was a “long term issue”. She has previously said her number one ambition is to get children off Nauru.

“Well, climate change is a short term and long term issue, getting kids off Nauru is an urgent medical issue ... with climate change, children are going to be affected all around the world.” she said.

The Conservation Foundation will not hand out how-to-vote cards in its targeted seats but will distribute leaflets detailing candidates’ positions on climate policy and the future of coal.

Chisholm in Victoria is on a margin of 3.4 per cent and will be vacated by incumbent MP Julia Banks. Bonner in Queensland is held by the LNP’s Ross Vasta on a margin of 3.4 per cent.

Macnamara in Victoria will be vacated by current MP Michael Danby. It is currently on a margin of 1.3 per cent and is being targeted by both the Liberals and the Greens as a potential pick-up.

Ms O’Shanassy said she cared about the “colours of the policies” rather than parties but did criticise Bill Shorten’s position on transitioning from coal to clean energy.

“I am disappointed with Mr Shorten’s response to the IPCC report ... I am disappointed with Labor’s position on coal being part of that future,” she said.

“If we continue to burn coal for decades ... we will lose the Great Barrier Reef where we visited together. And I know he was visibly affected by seeing the death of vast parts of the Barrier Reef.”