David Pocock backer Climate 200 polls Canberra voters about independent run in 2024 ACT election

In a move likely to stir territory politics, the automated "robocall" poll of approximately 1000 voters residing in the ACT has been commissioned by the climate-focused fundraising group backed by Simon Holmes a Court. It is similar to other polls run in House seats held by teal independents and seen as a way to track their progress.

But importantly, polling about local politics is seen as groundwork for running candidates.

In February, Australian Electoral Commission political donation data revealed that Climate 200 was the biggest contributor to the 2022 federal election campaign of now ACT independent David Pocock with a hefty donation of $856,000.

The phone poll now in the field asks about voting intention, if a federal election was held today, and the certainty of the position. If a person answered independent David Pocock, they are asked the reasons for that support such as "dissatisfaction with major parties" or "having a real impact in Parliament".

And just over a year out from the October 2024 ACT poll, the robocall asks - among the more than 20 questions posed: "Would you consider voting for an independent candidate from your community at the upcoming 2024 territory elections in the ACT?"

The five potential responses ranged from "definitely yes" to "definitely no" and included "unsure".

The Canberra Times has confirmed with sources there have been conversations around the possibility of Pocock independents running for the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2024.

Comment was sought from Climate 200 about why questions were being asked about territory voting intentions.

"Climate 200 regularly conducts research across Australia to stay informed about what is important to voters and our supporters," a Climate 200 spokesperson said.

The questions also asked about first preference vote at the 2022 election and issues important in deciding who to vote for at the next election. Options include cost of living and inflation, climate change and the environment, corruption and integrity, foreign policy and defence, health and aged care, or "other".

Chief Minister Andrew Barr said anyone was free to undertake political polling but suggested the main reason Climate 200 sought to support candidates in the federal election would not be relevant in the territory.

"I think a lot of the groundswell for the Climate 200 candidates certainly at the last federal election was in response to a lack of action on climate matters at a national level. I would put the ACT's response to climate change up as leading the nation, particularly at a state and territory level," Mr Barr said.

Mr Barr said he was not sure what other issues Climate 200-backed candidates would wish to pursue.

"The more people who contest the election, I think the better it is for democracy," he said.

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury said it was no surprise the polling was taking place.

"What's interesting is that when you look at the platform the teals ran on at the last federal election: climate change, integrity in government. These are things the Greens have delivered here in the ACT," Mr Rattenbury said.

"The ACT is recognised as a leading jurisdiction on the planet for climate action. We were the first party to commit to putting an integrity commission in place in the ACT so the sort of agenda we've seen from the Climate 200 candidates is very consistent with what the Greens have been delivering here in the ACT."

Mr Rattenbury said the Greens faced a challenge when they had been in government, but he argued the ACT party had been proven as capable performers.

"We're ready to govern here in the ACT, we've got a track record of delivery and I think that is something that voters will take into account at the 2024 election," he said.

Acting Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson said left-wing independents running in the ACT would likely present the biggest threat to the Greens.

"At the end of the day if you want to change this government, you want to pay rates that are fair, you want to fix the health system, have a royal commission into health, if you want to stop spending billions on a tram... the reality is that the only way to do that is to change the government to a Liberal government," Mr Hanson said.

"In terms of what a bunch of millionaires are doing in Sydney, whether they're going to seek to influence this election by running independents here, we'll have to see what happens."

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Climate 200 had not formally been approached about the ACT election and has been behind similar poll questions relating to the last Victorian and NSW elections.

Labor has been in power in the ACT since 2001 and, since the 2008 election, the ALP has been in minority government with the Greens. At the last 2020 election, a record six Greens MLAs were elected and three are ministers in the Andrew Barr-led government. There are four year fixed terms in the territory.

The Canberra Times also asked Senator Pocock about the polling, particularly as he is named in some of the questions.

"Any decision by Climate 200 to undertake research is entirely a matter for them and undertaken at their own instigation," a spokesperson for Senator Pocock said.

"After a year serving the people of the ACT, Jervis Bay and Norfolk Island Senator Pocock is undertaking his own public consultation seeking feedback on their priorities, how they assess his performance and identifying any areas for improvement."

- with Jasper Lindell, Lucy Bladen