Cuts too big for green backer
CLIMATE 200-backed “independents” who would sway a minority government are demanding emissions cuts far more extreme than even their mega-rich green backer Simon Holmes a Court considers necessary.
In a telling interview with News Corp Australia, Mr Holmes a Court also acknowledged his mission to install teal candidates into once safe conservative seats could result in Peter Dutton becoming Liberal leader, which he argued would make the party he once supported “unelectable”. Laying bare just how severe the environmental targets of several highprofile teals are, Mr Holmes a Court said he believed a 2030 carbon emissions cut of 46-50 per cent was “about right”.
By comparison, candidates bankrolled by Climate 200, including Warringah MP Zali Steggall and Monique Ryan – who is trying to unseat Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong – are calling for reductions of 60 per cent.
In Goldstein, fellow teal Zoe Daniel has the same goal – the former ABC journalist is the bookies’ favourite to win the Melbourne seat.
Labor has vowed to cut emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels; the Coalition has a target of 26 to 28 per cent.
Founded by Mr Holmes a Court, whose father was Australia’s first billionaire, Climate 200 initially aimed to amass $3m to back five independents at this year’s election.
But the donation drive had been “wildly successful”, he said, raising more than $10m so far. That figure has been boosted by wealthy families including the Milgroms and Fairfaxes.
Twenty-two independents are now being supported. None is running against a sitting Labor MP.