In the shadow of the two main political parties, the Greens and the independent candidates are making inroads as the federal elections approach. They share a common ambition: to win...

International reporting

The Australian federal elections, a chance for the climate

Audio 02:33

A woman walks past billboards for candidates outside a polling station in Sydney, Australia, Monday, May 9, 2022. Early voting has started in Australia's federal election, with the opposition party hoping the first ballots vote will reflect its lead over the government in an opinion poll.

AP - Mark Baker

By: Gregory Plesse

3 mins

In the shadow of the two main political parties, the Greens and the independent candidates are making inroads as the federal elections approach.

They share a common ambition: to win enough seats in Parliament so that none of the major parties obtains an absolute majority, and to use this position of strength to force them to fight more resolutely against global warming.

From our correspondent in Sydney,

This morning, there is not one, but two candidates for the legislative elections who gather in the north of Sydney, to hold a common meeting.

They are both part of a movement called the Duck Blue Independents, whose representatives have many points in common.

They are women, they are running in Australian right-wing strongholds and have made the climate crisis the heart of their political commitment.

This is what convinced Leonardo to support them.

“

For me, the top priority is climate action.
I have kids, ages 8 and 10, and I mope every day thinking about the world I'm going to leave them

,” he says.

Leonard intends to vote for Zali Steggall, who became an MP three years ago by winning against a former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, in a district where he had been elected for 25 years.

A feat that has inspired several other candidates this year to get started.

This is the case for example of Kylea Tink.

She is running in a riding in Sydney where people have voted for the Liberal Party for over 100 years.

And yet, she is a winner.

Because even in these conservative constituencies, the climate issue has become central.

Australia is lagging behind the rest of the world and it shouldn't be the case,

" said Kylea Tink

.
We have more sustainable and renewable resources than any other country, yet our government is one of the slowest to move away from fossil fuels.

The climate, a burning issue in the elections

At least five independent candidates could win on May 21.

Zali Steggall welcomes this: “

I hope this election will be a pivotal moment in Australian politics that will allow us to initiate real change.

These independents threaten the Liberal Party, of which Prime Minister Scott Morrison is the leader.

This is one of the factors that could contribute to a victory for the Labor Party.

The latter promise to act more resolutely against global warming, for example by committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030. But at the same time, they want to continue to develop the coal sector, of which Australia is the world's largest exporter.

For the Greens party, which is also on the rise, it is essential to go further.

They hope that Labor will win, but without obtaining an absolute majority in Parliament.

This would allow the Greens to force them to take more radical measures in favor of the climate.

“

We want to be in the balance of power, to push the next government to move faster and further on the climate crisis, and prevent the opening of new coal and gas mines.

The issue of climate change is in any case the priority of Australians, according to a recent opinion poll.

► Read also: Australia's largest coal-fired power station to close seven years early

International report - The Australian federal elections, an opportunity for the climate

The Australian federal elections, a chance for the climate

The climate, a burning issue in the elections

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