Climate 200

Climate 200 Pty Ltd
	Climate 200 Logo
Industry	Political Funding
Founded	2019; 6 years ago
Founder	Simon Holmes à Court
Headquarters	Potts Point, New South Wales
Key people	Simon Holmes à Court (Convenor)
Products	Teal independents
Website	www.climate200.com.au

Climate 200 is an Australian company that provides political funding. It describes itself as a "community crowdfunding initiative" that supports community-backed independents to stand for election to advance climate policy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the country and limit climate change in Australia.^[1] Its convener told the ABC that the backed candidates "have a shared philosophy on climate change, integrity and gender equity."^[2]

The candidates are colloquially grouped by the media as the teal independents, reflecting the campaign colour chosen by some (but not all) of its candidates. The colour teal has been explained as indicating their policies are "a shade between blue Liberal and green."^[3]

Background

The convenor of Climate 200 is Simon Holmes à Court, who was a part of Josh Frydenberg's fundraising group, the Kooyong 200.^[4]

With a background in renewable energy and climate policy, Holmes à Court wrote an article in 2018 that was critical of the Coalition's efforts to keep coal fired power stations open.^[5] Holmes à Court was thrown out of Frydenburg's group within 24 hours after the article was released, but this gave him an insight into major fundraising for campaigns.^[4]

Election campaigns

2019 federal election

In the lead-up to the 2019 federal election the group raised over $500,000.

2022 federal election

For the 2022 federal election, the group provided funding for twenty-three candidates^[6] who were either independent or running for minor parties, including most of the teal independents. Some of these candidates were also endorsed by Voices groups.^[7] They also endorsed additional "values-aligned candidates" without funding them.^[6]

The focus of the group was to get more people on the crossbench who aimed to strengthen climate policy and the functioning of parliament.^[7]^[8]

The group announced a number of high-profile former MPs to join their advisory panel from across the political spectrum.^[9]

In October 2021 the group announced that they had raised $2 million in 6 weeks.^[10] By December 2021 that had grown to $6.5 million from 6,750 donors.^[11] The group also conducted polling in some of the seats that they planned to support.^[12]

Funded candidates


Candidate	State	Electorate	Successful?
David Pocock	ACT	ACT (Senate)	Yes	Various
Kim Rubenstein	ACT	ACT (Senate)	No	Various
Jo Dyer	SA	Boothby	No	Liberal
Nicolette Boele	NSW	Bradfield	No	Liberal
Kate Hook	NSW	Calare	No	National
Claire Ferres Miles	Vic	Casey	No	Liberal
Andrew Wilkie	Tas	Clark	Yes	Independent
Caz Heise	NSW	Cowper	No	National
Kate Chaney	WA	Curtin	Yes	Liberal
Despi O'Connor	Vic	Flinders	No	Liberal
Zoe Daniel	Vic	Goldstein	Yes	Liberal
Liz Habermann	SA	Grey	No	Liberal
Georgia Steele	NSW	Hughes	No	United Australia
Helen Haines	Vic	Indi	Yes	Independent
Monique Ryan	Vic	Kooyong	Yes	Liberal
Sophie Scamps	NSW	Mackellar	Yes	Liberal
Rebekha Sharkie	SA	Mayo	Yes	Centre Alliance
Kylea Tink	NSW	North Sydney	Yes	Liberal
Hanabeth Luke	NSW	Page	No	National
Leanne Minshull	Tas	Tasmania (Senate)	No	Various
Alex Dyson	Vic	Wannon	No	Liberal
Zali Steggall	NSW	Warringah	Yes	Independent
Allegra Spender	NSW	Wentworth	Yes	Liberal

2022 Victorian state election

Climate 200 announced their support for a number of independent candidates in the Victorian state election. The candidates were Kate Lardner for Mornington, Melissa Lowe for Hawthorn, Sophie Torney for Kew, and Nomi Kaltmann for Caulfield.^[13] No independents won seats at the election, with all incumbent independents being defeated.

Legislative Assembly
Candidate	District		% 1st pref.	% 2CP
Sarah Fenton	Bellarine	Labor	4.58%	—	^[14]
Jacqui Hawkins	Benambra	Liberal	31.70%	49.06%	^[15]
Felicity Frederico	Brighton	Liberal	9.10%	—	^[16]
Nomi Kaltmann	Caulfield	Liberal	6.50%	—	^[17]
Melissa Lowe	Hawthorn	Labor	19.98%	—	^[18]
Sophie Torney	Kew	Liberal	21.10%	—	^[19]
Kate Lardner	Mornington	Liberal	22.42%	49.30%	^[20]
Clarke Martin	Sandringham	Liberal	6.91%	—	^[21]

2023 NSW state election

Legislative Assembly
Candidate	Division		% 1st pref.	% 2CP	Climate 200 Pty Ltd & Holmes à Court Donations
Victoria Davidson	Lane Cove	Liberal	20.38%	—	$9,891.50	^[22]^[23]
Joeline Hackman	Manly	Liberal	27.19%	45.15%	$9,850.00	^[24]^[25]
Helen Conway	North Shore	Liberal	21.85%	44.31%	$9,891.50	^[26]^[27]
Jacqui Scruby	Pittwater	Liberal	35.86%	49.34%	$9,886.00	^[28]^[29]
Karen Freyer	Vaucluse	Liberal	17.06%	37.12%	$0.00	^[30]^[31]
Judith Hannan ^[1]	Wollondilly	Liberal	25.94%	51.52%	$3,285.70	^[32]^[33]
Alex Greenwich ^[2]	Sydney	Independent	41.1%	65.6%	$3,000.00	^[34]

In total Climate 200 Pty Ltd together with Simon and Karina Holmes a Court directly donated $45,804.70 to six candidates between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023. The total individual donations to Climate 200 Pty Ltd during the campaign were $166,665.59 of which $49,727.28 originated from individuals not enrolled to vote in New South Wales.^[35]

Legislative Council
Candidate	% 1st pref.	Elected	Colours
Elizabeth Farrelly	1.32%			^[36]

2024 NSW state by-elections

Legislative Assembly
Candidate	Division	Incumbent party		% 1st pref.	% 2CP	Elected	Colours	Climate 200 Pty Ltd & Holmes à Court Donations
Jacqui Scruby	Pittwater		Liberal	54.17%	55.94%				^[37]

Reception

Climate 200 is a fund that distributes resources to its chosen candidates; however, there are many who claim that it is a political party.^[38]^[39] Holmes à Court rejected this notion in a February 2022 National Press Club address.^[40] He says that the money that the candidates receive have no strings attached and Climate 200 has no control over them.^[41] In September 2021, Senator Andrew Bragg wrote to the Australian Electoral Commission to ask them to ensure that group were fulfilling all the requirements for disclosures for political donations.^[42] In December 2021, the federal parliament passed a law to require "significant third parties" to register if they spend more than $250,000 on electoral expenditure in a year.^[43]

There is a view that Climate 200 is a vehicle for people opposed to the Liberal Party to defeat it in seats that are unwinnable by the Australian Labor Party. The Australian Financial Review in February 2022 described Climate 200 as "an anti-Liberal Party fundraising vehicle controlled by renewable-energy advocate Simon Holmes à Court [which is running] Independents funded by Mr Holmes à Court ... in about 20 Liberal-held seats...".^[44] Antony Green, ABC chief elections analyst, stated in April 2022 that these independents are running in "winnable seats ... but these are seats that Labor would never win, the Greens wouldn't win — these are safe Liberal seats."^[3]

There were 22 candidates supported by Climate 200 at the 2022 Australian Federal Election.^[45] 15 contested Coalition incumbents, 3 were independents who held previously Liberal held seats, and 2 were senate candidates in the ACT where they contested the seat then held by Zed Seselja.^[46]^[47] Wilkie and Leanne Minshull, an independent Senate candidate in Tasmania, were the only two that not directly contesting Coalition held seats. Independents with similar platforms to those endorsed by Climate 200 who ran in Labor held seats, such as Sarina Kilham in Grayndler held by Anthony Albanese, Leader of the Labor Party, were not endorsed.^[48] Jo Dyer, the supported candidate in Boothby, a Liberal seat indicated she would support a Labor minority government,^[49] and Dr Monique Ryan, the supported candidate in Kooyong, then held by Josh Frydenberg, is a former Labor member.^[50]

People involved

Advisors

Donors

References

^ "Climate 200: Fighting for science-based climate policy". www.climate200.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
^ "$7 million war chest to challenge sitting Liberals on climate comes with 'no strings attached', says financier". ABC News. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b Hawley, Sam; Smiley, Stephen (20 April 2022). "Who are the 'teal independents'? Your questions answered about the candidates fighting for some of Australia's wealthiest electorates". ABC. ABC. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ ^a ^b Turner, Brook (29 October 2021). "Simon Holmes à Court: 'If it works, the payoff will be enormous'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
^ "Why Liddell is likely to close in 2022, and why you shouldn't care | Simon Holmes à Court". The Guardian. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Climate 200 supported candidates". www.climate200.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
^ ^a ^b O'Malley, Nick (3 September 2021). "Political forces back independent candidates in climate change power bid". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ "Inside the fight to control the climate agenda in the next parliament". Crikey. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Former Liberal MP Julia Banks will join Climate 200 group to support independents". The Guardian. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Climate 200 raises $2m in six weeks to help independents but expects Liberal party 'interference'". The Guardian. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ "Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps". Retrieved 20 December 2021.
^ "Voters in Sydney's Liberal 'heartland' more worried about climate than Covid, polling suggests". The Guardian. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ "Climate 200 supported candidates". www.climate200.com.au. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
^ Sarah Fenton's Website
^ Jacqui Hawkins's Twitter Account
^ Felicity Frederico's Website
^ Nomi Kaltmann's Website
^ Melissa Lowe's Website
^ Sophie Torney's Website
^ Kate Lardner's Website
^ Clarke Martin's Website
^ Victoria Davidson's Website
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Victoria Anne Davidson'
^ Joeline Hackman's Website
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023 'Joeline May Hackman'
^ Helen Conway's Website
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Helen Maree Conway'
^ Jacqui Scruby's Website
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023 'Jacqueline Claire Scruby'
^ Karen Freyer's Website
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023
^ Judith Hannan's Website
^ https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Judith Anne Hannan'
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Alexander Hart Greenwich'
^ [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Recipient: Climate 200 Pty Ltd'
^ Elizabeth Farrelly Independents's Website
^ "Donate to Jacqui Scruby | Climate 200". www.climate200.com.au. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
^ "High-profile seats 'under attack' from Climate 200 'so-called independents'".
^ "Climate 200 raises $2m in six weeks to help independents but expects Liberal party 'interference'". The Guardian. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
^ Simon Holmes à Court on 'Independents and Climate – The Hope to End the Lost Decade', retrieved 18 May 2022
^ "$7 million war chest to challenge sitting Liberals on climate comes with 'no strings attached', says financier". ABC News. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
^ Harris, Rob (1 September 2021). "Electoral Commission urged to probe funding of 'Voices for' movements". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
^ "Morrison government urges MPs to dob in climate and 'Voices for' groups under new donor rules". The Guardian. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
^ Independent amasses $684,000 for tilt at Zimmerman's Liberal seat; afr.com; Feb 20, 2022
^ "Climate 200 supported candidates". Climate 200. Climate 200. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ "Search Senators and Members". Parliament of Australia. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ King, Rosie; Radford, Antoinette (17 December 2021). "Former Wallabies captain David Pocock running as independent candidate for ACT Senate seat". ABC. ABC. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ "Sarina Kilham - Your Vote Your Voice". Sarina Kilham. Sarina Kilham, Independent Candidate for Grayndler for Your Vote Your Voice. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ Henderson, Gerard (16 April 2022). "How independent are candidates if they have hidden past links to the Labor Party?". The Australian. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ Gordon, Josh (21 December 2021). "Kooyong independent insists she is 'cleanskin' despite former Labor membership". The Age. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "'Keep the bastards honest': former Australian Democrats leader joins high-profile group backing independents". The Guardian. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Windsor and Oakeshott ride again in push to bring climate to forefront". Crikey. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^ Hutchinson, Stephen Brook, Samantha (5 December 2021). "Milgrom family take a stand to save the planet". The Age. Retrieved 6 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External links

Official website

[1] "Climate 200: Fighting for science-based climate policy". www.climate200.com.au. Retrieved 26 July 2022.

[2] "$7 million war chest to challenge sitting Liberals on climate comes with 'no strings attached', says financier". ABC News. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

[:8-3] Hawley, Sam; Smiley, Stephen (20 April 2022). "Who are the 'teal independents'? Your questions answered about the candidates fighting for some of Australia's wealthiest electorates". ABC. ABC. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[:5-4] Turner, Brook (29 October 2021). "Simon Holmes à Court: 'If it works, the payoff will be enormous'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

[:0-5] "Why Liddell is likely to close in 2022, and why you shouldn't care | Simon Holmes à Court". The Guardian. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[:7-6] "Climate 200 supported candidates". www.climate200.com.au. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.

[O'Malley-7] O'Malley, Nick (3 September 2021). "Political forces back independent candidates in climate change power bid". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[:2-8] "Inside the fight to control the climate agenda in the next parliament". Crikey. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[:1-9] "Former Liberal MP Julia Banks will join Climate 200 group to support independents". The Guardian. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[theguardian.com-10] "Climate 200 raises $2m in six weeks to help independents but expects Liberal party 'interference'". The Guardian. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[:6-11] "Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps". Retrieved 20 December 2021.

[12] "Voters in Sydney's Liberal 'heartland' more worried about climate than Covid, polling suggests". The Guardian. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[13] "Climate 200 supported candidates". www.climate200.com.au. Retrieved 30 September 2022.

[14] Sarah Fenton's Website

[15] Jacqui Hawkins's Twitter Account

[16] Felicity Frederico's Website

[17] Nomi Kaltmann's Website

[18] Melissa Lowe's Website

[19] Sophie Torney's Website

[20] Kate Lardner's Website

[21] Clarke Martin's Website

[22] Victoria Davidson's Website

[23] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Victoria Anne Davidson'

[24] Joeline Hackman's Website

[25] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023 'Joeline May Hackman'

[26] Helen Conway's Website

[27] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Helen Maree Conway'

[28] Jacqui Scruby's Website

[29] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023 'Jacqueline Claire Scruby'

[30] Karen Freyer's Website

[31] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023

[32] Judith Hannan's Website

[33] ttps://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Judith Anne Hannan'

[34] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Alexander Hart Greenwich'

[35] [https://elections.nsw.gov.au/funding-and-disclosure/disclosures/pre-election-period-donation-disclosure/2023-nsw-state-election-donations/ New South Wales Electoral Commission Pre-election donations disclosures between 1 October 2022 and 25 March 2023, 'Recipient: Climate 200 Pty Ltd'

[36] Elizabeth Farrelly Independents's Website

[37] "Donate to Jacqui Scruby | Climate 200". www.climate200.com.au. Retrieved 19 October 2024.

[38] "High-profile seats 'under attack' from Climate 200 'so-called independents'".

[39] "Climate 200 raises $2m in six weeks to help independents but expects Liberal party 'interference'". The Guardian. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

[40] Simon Holmes à Court on 'Independents and Climate – The Hope to End the Lost Decade', retrieved 18 May 2022

[41] "$7 million war chest to challenge sitting Liberals on climate comes with 'no strings attached', says financier". ABC News. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.

[42] Harris, Rob (1 September 2021). "Electoral Commission urged to probe funding of 'Voices for' movements". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 November 2021.

[43] "Morrison government urges MPs to dob in climate and 'Voices for' groups under new donor rules". The Guardian. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.

[44] Independent amasses $684,000 for tilt at Zimmerman's Liberal seat; afr.com; Feb 20, 2022

[45] "Climate 200 supported candidates". Climate 200. Climate 200. Archived from the original on 3 May 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[46] "Search Senators and Members". Parliament of Australia. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[47] King, Rosie; Radford, Antoinette (17 December 2021). "Former Wallabies captain David Pocock running as independent candidate for ACT Senate seat". ABC. ABC. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[48] "Sarina Kilham - Your Vote Your Voice". Sarina Kilham. Sarina Kilham, Independent Candidate for Grayndler for Your Vote Your Voice. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[49] Henderson, Gerard (16 April 2022). "How independent are candidates if they have hidden past links to the Labor Party?". The Australian. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[50] Gordon, Josh (21 December 2021). "Kooyong independent insists she is 'cleanskin' despite former Labor membership". The Age. Retrieved 20 April 2022.

[:4-51] "'Keep the bastards honest': former Australian Democrats leader joins high-profile group backing independents". The Guardian. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.

[:3-52] "Windsor and Oakeshott ride again in push to bring climate to forefront". Crikey. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.

[53] Hutchinson, Stephen Brook, Samantha (5 December 2021). "Milgrom family take a stand to save the planet". The Age. Retrieved 6 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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Climate 200

Background

Election campaigns

2019 federal election

2022 federal election

Funded candidates

2022 Victorian state election

2023 NSW state election

2024 NSW state by-elections

Reception

People involved

Advisors

Donors

References

External links

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