Federal election: Community group Voices of Moore eyes teal challenge in battleground northern suburbs seat

Momentum is building for a teal challenge in the battleground northern suburbs set of Moore, where a community group has begun the process of identifying a potential candidate for the next Federal election. The recent establishment of Voices of Moore replicates the grassroots-focused blueprint that led to teal candidates dumping six sitting Liberal MPs out of office in 2022, including Kate Chaney in Curtin. A volunteer from Ms Chaney’s campaign – Shannon Ziegelaar – founded Voices for Moore alongside former teacher and decorated Aboriginal education specialist Kevin O’Keefe. Ms Ziegelaar said the group was in the early stages of “community listening” – which includes surveying the electorate about the issues that mattered most to local voters – but that the ambition was to eventually identify an independent candidate. Long-serving Moore MP Ian Goodenough failed to secure Liberal preselection and has since embarked on a damaging vendetta against his own party, culminating in a complaint that may lead to his expulsion. The Liberals hold Moore by a razor-thin margin of 0.7 per cent and will field a new candidate, former solider and RSLWA chief executive Vince Connelly – at the next election. With the Nationals also mulling a run and Labor likely to heavily target the electorate, the presence of an independent would further complicate what already looms as a key battleground. Moore does not fit the affluent, inner-city mold that has typically attracted teal candidates but the crowded field and the absence of an incumbent creates a clear opportunity. “It is evident people are disengaged with the current political landscape,” Ms Ziegelaar said. “It is easy to feel disempowered when we see politicians more focused on their own careers and political games rather than addressing major issues for the community and future generations like housing, cost of living and climate change.” While stressing Voices of Moore was still in its infancy and conversations with voters were only just getting started, Ms Ziegelaar said many of the themes that propelled Ms Chaney and her fellow teals into Parliament remained relevant. “Integrity has really come up, and transparency and accountability in political representation,” she said. “Then it is cost of living and housing – people are worried about how their children are going to afford a house. “Climate change is third, there is a real drive to see movement faster from the Federal Government.” Voices of Moore has reached out to Ms Chaney’s office but is not receiving any formal support. The group is also yet to receive any external financial aid, including from Climate 200 founder Simon Holmes a Court, who was the key backer of the 2022 wave of teals. “We don’t have a potential candidate identified at all,” Ms Ziegelaar said. “We are just putting the word out there and really starting to engage the community on the issues that are important to them but if the right person surfaces, then we will navigate those waters.” Alongside her husband Alastair Mackenzie, Ms Ziegelaar runs health and wellbeing programs helping young people with disabilities navigate the transition to adult life after their schooling ends. “Both my husband and myself were disappointed at the last election to not have a stronger candidate to vote for,” she said. “My motivation for getting involved (in Voices of Moore) – and other people felt the same – was we thought lets come together and see if there is that same appetite that we saw in Curtin in our community.”