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Yellow-vested ‘community advisors’ reappear in Kooyong By Rachael Dexter It seems our yellow-vested friends are back at it in Kooyong, undeterred by being reported to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) last week.
Volunteers handing out anti-teal pamphlets were spotted at pre-polling in Malvern on Monday, wearing bright-yellow vests with “Community Advisor” printed on them.
Volunteers in Kooyong were spotting handing out anti-teal pamphlets in Malvern on Monday, wearing bright yellow vests with “Community Advisor” on them. Credit: Rachael Dexter
As I reported last week , I spoke to one vest-wearing volunteer who said she was with Advance Australia. She removed her vest when I began asking questions.
The AEC also made inquiries, after being tipped off by other candidates concerned that the yellow vests closely resembled the official vests worn by AEC staff, which have “AEC Supervisor” printed on them.
An official AEC staff member in the distinctive yellow vest. Credit: Simon Schluter
Despite volunteers identifying themselves as being linked to Advance Australia, another third-party group called Better Australia is claiming the credit.
An email to supporters, which has been forwarded to me, shows the group – established by Sophie Calland, a Labor Party member – is using the vests across the country.
The AEC says that because the vests have a “Better Australia” logo as well, no rules are being broken. But are the vests intended to look like AEC uniforms and confuse voters?
I’ve put that question to Sophie Calland and am awaiting a response. Until then, I’ll leave it to readers to make up their own minds.
yesterday 9.06pm
Saunas, whippets and Las Vegas jaunts: Getting to know Kooyong’s other candidates While the Kooyong race has largely been the Monique Ryan and Amelia Hamer show, five other candidates have thrown their hats into the ring – representing Labor, the Greens, One Nation, the Libertarian Party and Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots.
I asked each minor candidate the same five questions in under 100 words, including what’s been overlooked in the campaign, why they’re running in a two-horse race, and where they’re directing preferences.
All responded, except for One Nation’s Camille Brache (who has been absent and unreachable).
Greens candidate Jackie Carter. Credit: Penny Stephens
Jackie Carter P roject manager, 39, l ives in Balwyn.
David Vader Designer and photographer, 37, l ives in Camberwell.
Trumpet of Patriots candidate David Vader. Credit: Penny Stephens
Labor candidate Clive Crosby. Credit: Penny Stephens
Clive Crosby Hospitality worker, 22, l ives in Hawthorn
Libertarian Party candidate Richard Peppard
Dr Richard Peppard
Kooyong, n eurologist, 70.
While it’s almost impossible for any of these four candidates to surpass Ryan or Hamer, their preferences will be extremely important.
Labor and Greens how-to-vote cards will send preferences Ryan’s way, while Hamer will benefit from the votes of the other three right-wing candidates.
Kooyong watchers will remember that in 2022, the Liberal incumbent, Josh Frydenberg, won 42.7 per cent of the primary vote to Ryan’s 40.3 per cent, but it was preference flows which pushed Ryan over the line (Frydenberg 47.8 per cent against her 52.2 per cent).
yesterday 8.38pm
Inside the teal campaign headquarters In Kooyong and Goldstein, the hundreds of volunteers for Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel’s campaigns are co-ordinated by Slack and WhatsApp groups, powered by barbecues and pizza nights, and accommodated in offices painted in bright teal.
Over the weekend, Rachael Dexter and I reported from inside the teal campaign headquarters in both electorates, talking to the unpaid foot soldiers of the community independents’ movement who knock on doors, organise, create social media content, arrange corflutes and feed the troops.
Can the teals cement their position this election by winning a further term while holding true to their promise of a “new way” of doing politics?
You can read the full story here.
yesterday 6.17pm
Wreaths, stubby holders and a $20,000 plea: Kooyong’s long-weekend Well, I’ve somewhat recovered from the craziness of Kooyong last week – though I suspect it’s not the last of it as we sprint together towards the finish line.
Here’s a quick round-up of Kooyong news from over the long weekend.
Both Monique Ryan and Amelia Hamer attended Anzac Day services on Friday. A reader sent me this photo – unimpressed by Hamer’s use of a campaign card on the wreath.
Amelia Hamer’s wreath at an Anzac Day service.
The Liberal camp points out Ryan also had a sizeable card on her wreath (albeit, sans campaign headshot).
Monique Ryan’s wreath on Anzac Day. Credit: Instagram
It’s not hard to keep tabs on what Hamer’s been up to: she dutifully documents all appearances on Instagram.
A quick scroll through her socials shows she spent time with the Young Liberals (who are helping her campaign) at the Tower Hotel in Hawthorn – now something of a campaign hub, thanks to the gigantic anti-Monique Ryan placards plastered on the outside.
I’m told you can even buy matching stubby holders from behind the counter – featuring the infamous “77 per cent vote with the Greens” attack line (which I previously unpacked here as well as the phrase, “Monique, please DO NOT take this!”
Liberal Party stubby holders with anti-Monique Ryan messages. Credit: Rachael Dexter
If you know, you know. A little bird was generous enough to gift me one.
On Sunday morning, Hamer was unmissable, sitting prominently behind Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at his campaign rally in Melton.
Amelia Hamer was front row at Peter Dutton’s weekend rally in Melton. Credit: James Brickwood
Later that day, she appeared at a girl’s footy game (the Kew Rovers) at Stradbroke Park in Kew East and was also seen manning the bar at the Hawthorn Citizens Junior Football Club season launch.
Meanwhile, Ryan seemed largely focused on pre-polling and doorknocking, according to her campaign tea
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