The Teal Revolution (Margot Saville, Hardie Grant)

Australia’s 2022 federal election brought a major upset: six independent female candidates—colloquially known as ‘the teals’ for the signature colour they adopted (a blend of green and Liberal blue)—catapulted into power. All replaced sitting Liberal party MPs in wealthy blue-ribbon seats. But was it a surprise, or a correction? Crikey reporter Margot Saville gives a detailed on-the-ground account of the ‘teal revolution’, interviewing key players and following the action in real time. She suggests that Liberal Party leaders such as Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, with their poor response to women’s issues, emboldened teal challengers. The Liberal Party mindset was one of entitlement. North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman answered feedback from a community group by emphasising a top-down approach: he knew best for the electorate. He was subsequently unseated by independent challenger Kylea Tink. Despite the money, resources and institutional knowledge available to the Liberal Party, they ran a lazy, sloppy campaign. The teal candidates, by contrast, were committed, organised and energised. They were also highly educated, professionally elite and well connected. As teal campaign strategist Kos Samaris noted, ‘These campaigns could not be run in working-class communities …[People] lack time and money, and certain skill sets.’ (This in turn raises key questions about poverty and democratic access.) Saville’s book is a neat summary of how an angry and organised groundswell picked off a slew of once-safe blue ribbon conservative seats. It will appeal to citizen activists and curious onlookers alike.

Chris Saliba is the co-owner of North Melbourne Books.

Category: Reviews