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April 17, 2025
Another Teal MP has become embroiled in dodgy "push polling" being conducted by Climate 200 in her electorate, as the Coalition calls on fellow independent Dr Monique Ryan to also take responsibility for the behaviour of her major financial backer.
A recording has recently emerged of a push poll circulating in Teal MP Zoe Daniel's inner-Melbourne battleground seat of Goldstein, targeting voters ahead of polling day on May 3.
Push polling, which is permitted at a federal level, is a political campaign technique disguised as a poll that uses loaded or leading questions to try and push an opinion and influence voters.
The first question of the push poll, published by The Age on Thursday, started with a positive statement about Ms Daniel before asking voters how likely they would be to vote for the Teal MP if an election was held today.
"Since being elected, your independent member Zoe Daniel has advocated for long-term economic reform, protecting the environment for future generations and for there to be more compassion and integrity in politics," the audio message said.
"Knowing this about Zoe Daniel, if a federal election was held today who would receive your first preference vote?"
The message then asked the recipient to select either option one for Ms Daniel, number two for Liberal candidate Tim Wilson or option three for the Greens.
Another question took aim at the Coalition, asking recipients if they would be more likely to vote for the Liberal Party if it "distanced itself" from the Nationals and the "extreme agenda" of some MPs.
"I would be more likely to vote for the Liberal Party if it distanced itself from the National Party and the extreme agenda of its MPs like Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan who oppose taking action on climate change and want to roll back abortion rights," it said.
A further question singled out Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's nuclear policy, placing an emphasis on the multi-billion-dollar costing of the plan.
"The Liberal Party's leader Peter Dutton has announced his intention to build seven nuclear power station that experts say will take 15 to 20 years to build and cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. Do you support or oppose this plan?" the message asked.
Mr Dutton has estimated, based on modelling from Frontier Economics, that his energy plan would come with a price tag of roughly $331 billion which will include seven nuclear reactors.
In a statement to SkyNews.com.au, Ms Daniel said she does not support the push polling practice, saying the survey was not "commissioned, paid for, or put into the field" by her team.
"Climate 200 has made it clear to us that this poll meets AEC guidelines," Ms Daniel said.
"They are adamant that it does not constitute push polling, despite claims to the contrary. As I’ve previously stated, I do not support push polling for myself or anyone else."
It comes after similar push polling recently surfaced in fellow Teal MP Dr Monique Ryan's electorate of Kooyong in eastern Melbourne, which is another battleground seat.
Text messages, aired by Sky News host Peta Credlin on Wednesday night, asked voters if they agreed or disagreed that the Liberal Party had "failed to release any detailed policies which address the challenges faced by everyday Australians".
A further question had the preamble: "Ryan has successfully pressured the government to reduce HECS debts for more than three million Australians, make changes to the stage three tax cuts, and cut the cost of prescriptions medicines".
A robocall push poll in Dr Ryan's electorate, heard by SkyNews.com.au, contained similar questions and statements.
Speaking to ABC Breakfast on Thursday, Dr Ryan said she was "not aware" of any push polling in her electorate of Kooyong, adding the practice was "not ideal".
"I certainly haven’t undertaken any and I wouldn’t know what questions are being asked of people if that is happening," Dr Ryan said.
"I think push polling is not ideal. Polling that then seeks to influence the way people think (is) not something, which I have any knowledge. I don’t think it’s a great idea."
In a statement to SkyNews.com.au, Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson said he found it "hard to believe" Dr Ryan was not aware of the push polling in her electorate.
"When a campaign relies on push polling, it tells you something about their priorities. They’re not interested in listening to voters — they’re trying to steer and manipulate them," he said.
Mr Paterson called on Dr Ryan to take responsibility for the behaviour of her major financial backer Climate 200.
"Monique Ryan should come clean about whether Climate 200 has ever shared the results of any of these polls in her seat," Mr Paterson said.
"If she’s serious about transparency and integrity, she needs to take responsibility for the behaviour of her single biggest financial backer."
SkyNews.com.au has also contacted Dr Ryan for comment.