Wentworth MP Dave Sharma has defended sending out political communications in the same teal colour as his independent rival Allegra Spender without mentioning his membership of the Liberal Party.
Ms Spender, one of the high-profile “climate independents” supported by Simon Holmes a Court’s Climate 200 campaign, is challenging Mr Sharma for the previously safe Liberal seat in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Ms Spender’s brochure highlights her support for a “new economy” built on decarbonisation and sustainability and six policy areas stemming from that – climate action, honest politics, accessible education, first-class healthcare, inclusive society and natural environment.
Mr Sharma’s brochure uses the same colours and features a picture of Mr Sharma at Bondi Beach. The text emphasises Mr Sharma’s life story – his immigrant roots, his perfect tertiary education rank of 100 and study at Cambridge, his work for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including as ambassador to Israel, and his wife and three daughters. There is no mention of the Liberal Party.
Mr Sharma said he did not routinely mention his party affiliation in all communications as a member of parliament, but this would be on all campaign materials once the election was called. He said a billboard had gone up at Edgecliff that carried the Liberal logo because it would remain there throughout the election campaign.
“I’ve been on the blue colour scheme ever since I was a Liberal, so I don’t think the question is why am I copying someone else’s colour scheme, I think is why they are on the Liberal colours, and that’s a question for the other candidate,” Mr Sharma said. “No one owns a colour.”
Mr Sharma has previously used the more traditional Liberal colour of royal blue in his campaign materials.
Ms Spender responded on Twitter, saying: “Looks like my opponent is a big fan of teal. Copying my colours is a great start. Now do my policies. Commit to voting in Parliament for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, a federal integrity commission, and the humane treatment of refugees #realteal.”
Independent MP Zali Steggall, who won the formerly safe seat of Warringah from former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2019, mocked Mr Sharma’s claim he had “always been on the blue spectrum”.
“No spectrum in Dave’s voting record. Time & time again, he voted for more funding for fossil fuels. @spenderallegra is genuine. #climate,” Ms Steggall said in a Twitter post.
Former independent MP Julia Banks, who quit the Liberal Party, also posted, saying: “I found the best way to “distance yourself” from the Liberal Party is to quit the party & be an independent MP All Dave Sharma can do is ditch the ‘Liberal blue’ & branding Luckily the people of Wentworth will be able to vote for the formidable @spenderallegra.“
Australian Electoral Commission spokesman Evan Ekin-Smyth said: “As far as electoral laws are concerned there’s no dictating that you must use a particular colour palette or brand or logo -you can’t own a colour.”
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