The battles in the most high-profile teal seats have become nail-biters as some “soft” voters in these previously safe Liberal heartland electorates are leaving their decisions until very late.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Dave Sharma, Allegra Spender, and Kerryn Phelps on the contest for Wentworth
Michelle Gratten speaks with the two main candidates in Wentworth, Liberal Dave Sharma and "teal" independent Allegra Spender, as well Kerryn Phelps, the former independent member in the seat.
In the third report on The Wentworth Project, we find in focus group research that independent candidate Allegra Spender has shifted soft voters opinions about her
In the second instalment of the Wentworth Project, voters didn’t like Scott Morrison one bit. But they couldn’t think of much positive to say about Anthony Albanese.
In the seat of Wentworth, the Liberals are being challenged by a high profile “teal” candidate, Morrison is unpopular, Albanese is preferred PM, and climate change tops issues people say will influence their vote.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Liberal Dave Sharma on 2030 target
Liberal backbencher Dave Sharma, a former diplomat, discusses climate policy, the religious discrimination legislation, a national integrity commission, voter ID, China, and the Liberal party.
Liberal candidate Dave Sharma lost to independent Kerryn Phelps at a byelection in 2018.
Bianca de Marchi and Joel Carrett/AAP
Wentworth remains one of the most interesting individual contests in this campaign.
Sharma said a small improvement in the emissions trajectories of large emitters such as China would have much greater impact than anything Australia could itself do.
Joel Carrett/AAP
These efforts should include trying to turn around the United States’ decision to leave the Paris agreement, Sharma told the Coalition for Conservation on Tuesday night.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison concedes the Liberals lost the byelection in Wentworth on Saturday night- but postal votes have added uncertainty to the outcome.
AAP/Dan Himbrechts
After election night reports of a thumping win in by independent Kerryn Phelps, the Liberals have recovered significantly in postal votes - so much so, the result is now uncertain.A
Morrison’s style of campaigning and how well he goes over on the ground will be carefully watched for indications of his potential strengths or weaknesses come the main game next year.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
For Phelps the byelection is important but for Morrison, it is critical. If Wentworth is lost, the Coalition loses majority. There could be some paralysis and the fear in the ranks will increase.