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.
Liberal candidate Dave Sharma lost to independent Kerryn Phelps at a byelection in 2018.
Bianca de Marchi and Joel Carrett/AAP
Just as with Kevin07, formerly Coalition-friendly independents gave life-long centre-right voters a way to break ranks without feeling like they were being disloyal. Zali Steggall is doing the same.
The government has been hopeful that it can persuade independent Cathy McGowan to break ranks with other crossbench supporters of the bill.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Scott Morrison and David Coleman said: “There are now only four asylum seeker children on Nauru and they have all been approved for departure to the United States of America with their families”.
Craig Kelly - wearing a T-shirt with the face of Robert Menzies.
on it - told the ABC he would not defect to the cross bench.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Malcolm Turnbull has struck back angrily at a report that he has been helping independent Kerryn Phelps, his successor in Wentworth, as chaos continues to fracture the Liberals.
Independent Kerryn Phelps’s roll call of “decency, integrity, humanity” harked back to the women who fought hard for female enfranchisement in the early 20th century.
AAP/Chris Pavlich
The early suffragists would be rolling in their graves to know that women joining the ranks of parliamentarians barely changed their male colleagues’ outlook and demeanour at all.
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
Independent Dr Kerryn Phelps has easily won the formerly blue-ribbon Liberal seat of Wentworth.
AAP/Chris Pavlich
The trouncing in Wentworth will re-open fractures in the government, threatening more damaging in-fighting between the party’s conservatives and moderates.
Independent Kerryn Phelps has slumped in the polls ahead of the Wentworth byelection, which was likely caused by changing her position on preferences.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
A change of heart on preferences appears to have cost the high-profile independent in Wentworth, while the controversy around Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation has been of benefit to Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison appears to be enjoying a honeymoon period, with the Coalition up two points on two-party preferred in the latest Newspoll.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
The Coalition’s recent hit in the polls seems to be subsiding, while Kerryn Phelps may have made a damaging error by announcing she’ll preference the Liberals in the Wentworth byelection.
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.
