Six Australian Independent MPs that campaigned heavily on a climate change platform managed to raise $10 million (US$6.4 million) at the last federal election, according to figures from the country’s electoral oversight body.
The so-called “teal” independents played a key role in dislodging the incumbent centre-right Liberal Party government in May after winning over inner-city voters (many Liberal heartland seats) concerned with the need for more action on climate change.
In inner-city seats where teal candidates did not run, voters selected left-wing Greens or Labor Party candidates.
According to figures from the Australian Electoral Commission, the MP for North Sydney, Kylea Tink, raised around $1.83 million, while Allegra Spender, who ran in the affluent Wentworth electorate, received the most donations at $1.93 million from 661 donors.
One notable donor was Alex Turnbull, the son of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who gave $25,000.
Sophie Scamps, who succeeded in winning the seat of Mackellar, which covers Sydney’s Northern Beaches region, raised $1.56 million.
Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Monique Ryan, who unseated former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, raised $1.84 million, while former journalist Zoe Daniel raised $1.75 million. Daniel also managed to unseat the Liberal Party’s, Tim Wilson.
Lastly, Kate Chaney in the Western Australian seat of Curtin—formerly the seat of Liberal Foreign Minister Julie Bishop—managed to raise $1.3 million.
Capitalising on Climate Change Momentum
The teal movement and the Greens and Labor Party were able to capitalise on growing support for greater climate change action by governments around the world.In fact, the May election saw the Liberal Party lose several heartland electorates across Australia’s main capital cities, leaving now-opposition leader Peter Dutton the job of consolidating the party and setting its future course.
Meanwhile, the now-governing Labor Party, which won due to the flow of preference votes, has embarked on a more aggressive climate change agenda by legislating net-zero targets into law and upping investment in renewable energy generators.
According to the latest budget update, released on Oct. 25, the government will spend $20 billion to help finance the construction of new transmission links for renewable energy and $1.9 billion to support jobs and emissions cuts in the regions.
It also allocates $800 million towards reducing taxes for electric vehicles, the construction of a national charging network, and support for solar battery storage to 100,000 homes.
