Qld independents backed by Climate 200 say they have no links to the Teals movement
A new wave of politically aligned Queensland independents have denounced an association with the Teal movement, despite being endorsed by advocacy group Climate 200.
Sunshine Coast
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Six women running as independent candidates in the upcoming federal election say they have no links with the Teals movement despite being promoted on the website for advocacy group Climate 200.
The climate-focused group, founded by billionaire Simon Holmes à Court, uses crowd funding and helps bankroll campaigns for economically conservative, environmentalists.
The group confirmed it had already donated up to $50,000 to “community groups” endorsing independents’ campaigns within four Queensland electorates of McPherson, Moncrieff, Fisher, and Fairfax.
The group also has endorsed independents in Groom as well as in Dickson – Peter Dutton’s seat in north west Brisbane.
Environmental consultant Ellie Smith will challenge Opposition leader Peter Dutton in Dickson, the most marginal seat in the state at 1.7 per cent, said she believed her opponent’s nuclear policy was a distraction and that cost-of-living measures that did not rely on interest rate decreases would better improve constituents’ lives.
Mr Dutton said he did not class Ms Smith as a Teal but rather as a second Greens candidate under the guise of independency.
“You vote for these candidates – for these Teal and Greens and independents, pretending to be independents, but they’re really Greens – all of those votes just go back to Anthony Albanese, and that would be a very bad outcome for our country,” Mr Dutton said.
Social worker Suzie Holt will run her second federal election campaign for the Darling Downs seat of Groom, which is Queensland’s second safest seat and held by LNP’s Garth Hamilton with a margin of 14.17 per cent.
Ms Holt lists famed independent Cathy McGowan, who broke the Coalition’s hold on the seat of Indi, to become the first independent member for the northeast Victorian electorate as her mentor.
“She comes from that sort of centrist but very conservative perspective and particularly some of the work that she’s done, we lean into that because it’s based around the regions,” Ms Holt said.
Nicole Arrowsmith will run against the Moncrieff MP Angie Bell, who holds the seat with a 11.19 per cent margin.
“I’m not aligned with any party, in terms of Teals or the other independents, they’re achieving great things and I’ve got a lot of respect for them,” she said.
Erchana Murray-Bartlett will contest the southern Gold Coast seat of McPherson, with retiring LNP MP Karen Andrews leaving with a 9.34 per cent margin.
Ms Murray-Bartlett, a fiscally conservative independent with a passion for climate action, is a Guinness World Record marathon runner, businesswoman and health advocate.
She also does not consider herself Teal but says she is drawing inspiration from other independents as a first-time candidate.
“I think to be truly independent you can’t have this premeditated idea,” she said.
“I’m going to look at every single policy or bill on its merit.”
Airconditioning business operator Francine Wiig will contest the Sunshine Coast seat of Fairfax, once held for a term by controversial multibillionaire Clive Palmer until regained by the LNP’s Ted O’Brien in 2016, who holds it with a 8.95 per cent margin.
Ms Wiig has distanced herself from the Teal label despite the colour prominently displayed in her branding.
“The term ‘Teal’ is a media label, not a political label,” she said.
Her neighbouring division of Fisher will be contested by Keryn Jones, who is a solar energy advocate and said she was seeking environmental commitments, improved public transport, cheaper general practitioners and affordable housing.
Ms Jones conceded she shared values with Teals but believed it referred specifically to candidates representing inner-city electorates.
“My campaign is uniquely shaped by the voices and priorities of Fisher, a regional community with distinct challenges and opportunities,” she said.
Originally published as Qld independents backed by Climate 200 say they have no links to the Teals movement
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