Ten facts about “Teal” Independent, Alex Dyson

1. PART OF THE TEAL MOVEMENT

Dyson’s campaign is financially supported by Climate 200, founded by Simon Holmes à Court and defined by the Australian Electoral Commission as a “significant third party.”¹

Climate 200 is the main backer behind “Teal” Independents in parliament. Dyson’s campaign was launched by Teal Independent Member, Zoe Daniel.

2. TEALS VOTE MOSTLY WITH GREENS

Parliamentary voting records show the eight Teal Independents have voted mostly with the Greens.²

On votes for legislation, the Teal Independents’ voting is even more skewed, voting 77% with the Greens, versus 20% with the Liberals.³

3. DISRESPECTS OUR DEFENCE FORCES

Dyson has posted videos of himself “twerking” at our Defence Force personnel.⁴

4. DISRESPECTS THE POLICE

Dyson has posted photos of himself giving the middle finger to police.⁵

5. WANTS A CARBON TAX

Dyson says: “Let’s say the carbon tax. To me, it makes sense to bring it back.”⁶

Other Teal Independents have argued for an increase in the GST and higher taxes on capital gains, property, resources and road users.⁷

6. WAS LAMBASTED FOR A “SICKENING” HOLOCAUST PRANK

In 2012, Triple J apologised for a breakfast show segment in which two hosts (including Dyson) joked about the Holocaust.

The Director of the Centre for Jewish History and Culture at the University of Melbourne, Dr Dvir Abramovic wrote in The Age:

“Yesterday on the Tom and Alex show on Triple J, a truly appalling and bizarre segment was broadcast in which a ‘game’ was made of linking things to Hitler; the final item in this game was a wind farm. Why a wind farm you ask? Because it contains fans, which is linked to fan forced ovens, which in turn connect to the Holocaust and Hitler. Got it?

Tom Ballard and Alex Dyson probably thought this was hilarious… I was speechless. With this beyond distasteful episode, Tom and Alex crossed so many red lines I stopped counting…”⁸

7. WANTS AUSTRALIA DAY CHANGED

Dyson says: “Australia Day should be moved anyway…”⁹

8. WANTS DIFFERENT VOTING FOR SENIORS

Dyson says: “I thought of the idea of making voting for those over 80 years old non-compulsory. Try and speed up the rate of change a bit.”¹⁰

9. STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE VOICE

Dyson strongly supports the Voice, as did all eight Teal Independents.

By contrast, 68% of people in Wannon voted NO.

10. RISKS A LABOR / GREENS / TEALS MINORITY GOVERNMENT

The next election is expected to be close, with many commentators predicting a “hung parliament” where no party can form majority government.

If that happens, Greens and Independents could decide who forms government.

Despite campaigning on “transparency”, Teal Independents have consistently refused to say who they would back into government if there’s a hung parliament.