Liberal-turned-independent says she has ‘unfinished business’ after resigning from party in wake of Turnbull overthrow

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Liberal-turned-independent MP Julia Banks has announced she will challenge former colleague Greg Hunt at the federal election in a campaign centred on climate change, refugees and gender equality.

Banks, who went to the crossbench after the messy toppling of Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister last year, will run against the health minister in the Victorian seat of Flinders, attempting a switch from her marginal seat of Chisholm.

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The move is a further blow to the Morrison government after the resignation of three senior ministers ahead of the election, expected in May, and the entry of high-profile independents Oliver Yates, who will contest Kooyong against Josh Frydenberg, and Zali Steggall, who will attempt to unseat Tony Abbott in Warringah.

All three former Liberal-aligned independents have signalled that climate change will be central to their pitch, which prompted Liberal MP Tim Wilson to reveal on Thursday the government will add to its policy before the election to stem the flow of environmentally conscious voters away from the Coalition.

In a statement released on Thursday, Banks said she had “unfinished business” after hearing from the voters of Flinders about the “frustration at the major party dysfunction, combative politics and game-playing”.

“It’s important that the people of Flinders are not taken for granted and have a strong independent representative who listens, gives it their all and takes pride in being their voice,” she said.

Banks set out her local credentials, noting that she had owned her family home on the Mornington Peninsula in Flinders for 20 years, but pledged to “do [her] utmost” for the constituents of Chisholm between now and the election.

Banks said her values are at the “sensible centre” of politics, promising to support policies of “economic responsibility whilst being socially progressive”.

“Climate change is not only real – it is happening … Effective climate change action policy is an urgent imperative,” she said.

“In relation to refugees I’ll always be an advocate for a humanitarian approach which is the essence of our compassionate character as Australians.

“And I’ll continue focused advocacy on gender equality, fair and equitable workplace cultures and equal representation of women in leadership positions.”

Banks, a former lawyer and Turnbull backer, won Chisholm from Labor against a national swing to the opposition at the 2016 election.

In August, while announcing she would not recontest Chisholm in Melbourne’s east, Banks complained of a culture of “gender bias, bullying and intimidation” of women in politics.

She sharpened that criticism when she left for the crossbench in November, telling parliament that the coup against Turnbull was “led by members of the reactionary right wing, [and] aided by many MPs trading their vote for a leadership change in exchange for their individual promotion, preselection endorsements or silence”.

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On Thursday Scott Morrison laughed off suggestions there was a rush of moderates leaving the Liberal party.

Morrison told reporters in Brisbane that Hunt had “worked like a Trojan for his community since the day he was elected in the seat of Flinders”.

“I have no doubt that Greg Hunt will be rewarded by his electorate.”

At a doorstop in Sydney Hunt said he had grown up in Flinders and highlighted his local work including a 500km walk raising awareness for autism and desire to protect the “green wedge”.

Hunt committed to run in Flinders, saying he “would never walk away from the area” to run elsewhere and describing his bond with his electorate as “sacred”.

Hunt – who destabilised Turnbull by resigning as a minister and voting for Peter Dutton in the leadership contest – said he wanted to “look forward” as he dodged questions about his role in the coup.

“All of us stand by our decisions,” he said. Hunt praised Morrison, who he said had “the potential to be the most extraordinary leader” since John Howard.

Wilson told Radio National that Banks is entitled to run in Flinders but questioned whether it was a wise decision, citing union polling showing the Liberals on a 36% primary vote, which he claimed showed an independent had “no chance of being successful”.

Wilson said there is a diversity of views on climate change in the Liberal party, and he supports “sensible proportionate action on reducing emissions”.

“We have a policy on responding to climate change, we’re building more in the lead-up to the election, I’m looking forward to it being announced.”