Some veterans of the “Voices” movement that spurred the teal campaigns have long been concerned that Holmes a Court,as a substantial donor to Climate 200 and,therefore to candidates,should avoid making commentary that could be perceived as speaking for teal independents.
The concern was first raised with The Age in February when Holmes a Court addressed the National Press Club about the role of Climate 200,leading to grumbles that because he was a financial donor,his statement could confuse the public about his role.
Holmes a Court has said Climate 200 is a “giving circle”,a vehicle through which thousands of donors have contributed more than $12 million to help independents level the playing field in an electoral system stacked against them.
There is crossover and close working relationships between Climate 200 and some of the campaigns it supports. Climate 200 advisers are involved directly in some,including helping build up volunteer bases,assisting with strategies for consulting communities about policy and in campaign tactics and media.
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However,it is his direct involvement in Ryan’s campaign that raises most eyebrows. He advises the campaign and has attended campaign meetings. He has said he is participating as a Kooyong resident,not on behalf of Climate 200.
Holmes a Court is a former Liberal donor who founded Climate 200 in 2019 after he was expelled from Frydenberg’s fund-raising arm,Kooyong 200,for publicly criticising Coalition energy policy.
There is strong feeling between the two men,made more so through the bitterness of this contest in a once safe Liberal seat.
Holmes a Court says he recuses himself from Climate 200 funding decisions involving Ryan. Climate 200 has contributed about $500,000 to the Kooyong campaign.
One teal candidate toldThe Age andThe Sydney Morning Heraldthat Holmes a Court having dual roles with both Climate 200 and the Kooyong campaign was not helpful.
“I have no problem with Climate 200,but then there was also his personal involvement in the Kooyong campaign. The two things have kind of merged,confusing things.”
In the final days of a long campaign,Holmes a Court visited the Hawthorn polling booth,knowing that Hume was there supporting Frydenberg. He had been frustrated by Hume’s allegations about the influence of Climate 200 on teal independents and was angered byclaims that one of his tweets which referred to “angel of death” in relation to former prime minister John Howard was anti-Semitic.
On Thursday,he said in a statement that Hume had for several years “repeatedly used her position to spread lies and misinformation about me”.
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“Despite remaining calm throughout the conversation,it is clear that a public space was not the forum to ask her to retract her lies,and for that,I apologise to Senator Hume.”
Ryan camp insiders were less than happy as the confrontation was a major distraction from campaigning.
Another teal supporter toldThe Age: “I wish he’d throw his phone in the river.” Hewson said that “independents have a hard enough job” without such distractions.
Holmes a Court declined to be interviewed on Friday.