Another candidate tired of tortured climate policy progress has joined a growing army of independents aiming to rock the government at the federal election.
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Nationals MP Damian Drum is facing a challenge in his safe seat of Nicholls in Victoria's north driven by frustration over the junior coalition partner's resistance to deeper emissions cuts.
Greater Shepparton deputy mayor Rob Priestly is attempting to capitalise on demand in safe coalition seats for much greater and faster action on climate change as well as jobs in clean energy and industry.
"At the end of the day, my beef's not with Damian Drum, it's his boss and those that have the numbers in the National Party," Mr Priestly told AAP on Friday.
Mr Drum is among the moderate Nationals who think a position will be struck on net zero emissions by 2050, but believes this will require adequate checks and balances.
"Ultimately, Damian's part of the party and he's got a role with their policy positions. And their policy positions are really going to be devastating for our community," Mr Priestly said.
"We need a leadership that represents the interests of our community, not a party position".
Nationals members will meet on Sunday to assess the plan before a joint partyroom meeting on Tuesday.
Neighbouring Indi independent MP Helen Haines believes the junior coalition partner is wrecking economic opportunities for regional Australia.
"Watching the the debacle of the National Party over climate just leaves country people like I represent completely perplexed," she said,
"The National Party are positioning themselves like innocent bystanders.
"But in fact they've been actively wrecking opportunities for regional Australia when it comes to a transition to a new renewable energy economy."
Dr Haines in 2019 became the first independent to succeed another in a federal electorate after taking over from MP Cathy McGowan.
"Some of our seats in the House of Representatives have been considered safe seats for way too long," she said of Mr Priestly's run.
Mr Priestly said he wasn't involved with Simon Holmes a Court's Climate 200 group that has amassed a $1.7 million war chest to bankroll pro-climate action independents in a number of seats.
"My intention is to try and raise all the funds I need from within my community and be really transparent about that," Mr Priestly said.
"I'm happy to have a talk to whoever about it, but at the end of the day there's things that are deeply wrong with the way funds are raised in politics in Australia."
Mr Drum's office was contacted for comment.
Australian Associated Press
