Climate 200, the political campaign group behind Australia's 'teal' independent movement, has appointed former independent candidate Kate Hook as co-convener, marking a leadership shake-up aimed at expanding its regional reach. Hook will work alongside founder Simon Holmes à Court to build capacity and better represent regional communities.
Hook, a small business owner and two-time independent candidate for the NSW seat of Calare, said she would bring first-hand experience as a regional candidate to the role. 'People used to say to me, "I feel like politics is being held at arm's length from me and there's no way in." I felt like that too,' she told Guardian Australia.
Climate 200 supported 35 candidates at the May federal election and is already planning for the next poll in 2028. The group contributed about $6m to teal independents in 2022, including Allegra Spender and Monique Ryan. At the latest election, it helped independent Nicolette Boele win the previously Liberal-held seat of Bradfield.
Holmes à Court said the group could provide funding in more than one in three electorates at the next election. 'Helping communities scale earlier is a big part of our strategy,' he said. Hook added that the organisation would expand again, providing seed funding, training and support for local campaigns.
