Adam (Gast)
| | A former ABC journalist, ex-Labor member and Wallabies legend are among the 22 'independent' election candidates being funded by a millionaire climate change warrior in the hope of bringing down Scott Morrison.
So far 19 Lower House and three Senate candidates have been supported by clean energy investor Simon Holmes à Court through his fundraising body Climate 200 which aims to raise $20million.
They include former ABC reporter Zoe Daniel in Goldstein, ex-Labor member Monique Ryan in Kooyong and former Wallabies number eight David Pocock who wants to represent the ACT in the Senate.
Former ABC journalist Zoe Daniel (pictured with Grace Tame) is running against Liberal MP Tim Wilson in Goldstein in Melbourne.
He holds the seat on a margin of eight per cent
Former Labor member Dr Monique Ryan (pictured) is challenging Treasurer Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong, a seat he holds on a six per cent margin
The election hopefuls - who could decide whether Anthony Albanese or Mr Morrison become PM in the event of a hung parliament - are running against Coalition opponents with a focus on climate change, women's safety and integrity in politics.
In particular, they want more ambitious emissions reduction targets and a federal integrity commission 'with teeth' that can hold public hearings to probe rorts.
Not a single one is running in a Labor-held seat, sparking accusations they are merely 'fake independents' trying to boot out the Coalition.
Former Liberal Prime Minister John Howard described the candidates - who are 19 women and three men - as 'anti-Liberal groupies' and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Wednesday said they are 'acting as a political party' to oust the Coalition.
Mr Frydenberg holds his seat of Kooyong on a six per cent margin but is facing a serious challenge from neurologist Dr Ryan.
She left Labor in 2010, disappointed by Kevin Rudd's lack of action on climate change - but Mr Frydenberg has unearthed a series of Facebook posts in which she expressed support for the ALP, including one proclaiming her love for Julia Gillard.
'I still love her even if no-one else does,' she captioned a picture of the former Labor PM in 2013.
Former Wallabies number eight David Pocock (pictured) wants to represent the ACT in the Senate
Warringah MP Zali Steggall (pictured) is campaigning for re-election with a seven per cent margin. She has declared she will back a Coalition Government if Scott Morrison resigns
The independent candidates, who are mostly fighting for Liberal seats in capital cities - have mostly not declared who they will support in the event of a hung parliament but their values more closely align with Labor's policies.
The exceptions are sitting MPs Zali Steggall in Warringah who will back a Coalition Government if Scott Morrison resigns and Rebekha Sharkie in Mayo who is likely to support the current PM.
They are a slogan and a billboard and nothing more
Josh Frydenberg on independents
Mr Frydenberg said the independents were refusing to be honest with the Australian public because they will lose if they admit to backing the ALP.
'They will say they are campaigning on transparency but... they will not reveal how they will vote,' he said, accusing them of hypocrisy.
The Treasurer also slammed the independents for lacking policies on tax, infrastructure and defence.
'They have no costings. It's the vibe of the thing. They are a slogan and a billboard and nothing more,' he said.
His stinging critique came after Wentworth independent candidate Allegra Spender, the daughter of late fashion designer Carla Zampatti and former Liberal MP John Spender, last week admitted she would be open to supporting a Labor Government.
Clean energy investor Simon Holmes à Court (right with Seven weatherman Bob Gell) set up a fundraising body called Climate 200 to raise huge sums for pro-climate candidates
Allegra Spender (in blue), the daughter of late fashion designer Carla Zampatti and former Liberal MP John Spender, is running for the Liberal seat of Wentworth held by Dave Sharma with a one per cent margin
Sitting MP Dave Sharma - who holds Wentworth on a one per cent margin - has urged voters to stick with the Liberal Party, claiming independents have limited influence on policy.
Other blue-ribbon Sydney seats under attack include North Sydney where businesswoman Kylea Tink is challenging Trent Zimmerman and Mackellar on the northern beaches where Jason Falinski is under pressure from local doctor Sophie Scamps.
Mr Falinksi says independent candidates are left wing and has pointed to independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall's voting record to show she is closer to Labor than the Liberals.
In Melbourne Mr Holmes à Court is backing local councillor Despi O'Connor in retiring Greg Hunt's seat of Flinders as well as Ms Daniel and Dr Ryan.
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