Dr Kerryn Phelps, the newly confirmed independent member of parliament for the New South Wales House of Representatives seat of Wentworth has pledged to tackle climate change policy as her first priority after she was formally declared the winner of the once blue ribbon Liberal Party seat in Sydney’s east.
Dr Phelps said she would move to reinstate the Climate Change Authority to provide a scientific voice in the debate, put forward reforms to vehicle emissions standards and look at ways to use the crossbench clout to stop the controversial coalmine planned for Queensland by the Indian conglomerate Adani.
“We can stop fiddling around with talking about new coalmines because no one wants to fund them,” she said.
“Government policy needs to establish a foundation for business to invest in renewable energy for our future and to protect our environment.
“That is something the Australian people are saying they want.”
Dr Phelps also said she will seek an urgent briefing on the constitutional eligibility of Liberal MPs Peter Dutton and Chris Crewther, adding that she had received legal advice that she did not have any section 44 issues that might affect her own eligibility to sit.
As a doctor, Dr Phelps is part of the Medicare system, but she said rebates were paid not to her but to her patients.
She also said there was no issue as a result of her being a city of Sydney councillor.
The Australian Electoral Commission today declared Dr Phelps the winner with a margin of 1851 votes or 1.2 per cent in two-party-preferred terms after a record 19 per cent swing against the conservative Liberal-National government.
Although Dr Phelps has rejected the suggestion she could vote for a no-confidence motion by declaring she has “no intention of being a wrecker”, her entry to parliament spells trouble for the government of the recently appointed Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which has now lost its majority.
Today Dr Phelps said her election was propelled by “disenchantment with the party political system” after the ouster of Malcolm Turnbull from the Liberal leadership, and discontent over the lack of action on climate change and treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
Common ground between the crossbench and opposition on establishing a federal anti-corruption commission and ending live sheep exports exposes the government on the floor of the lower house.
