Australian conservative party faces teal independent threat

By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The debate over climate change policy may be changing the color of Australian politics. Independents upset with the ruling coalition’s inaction on climate change are a major threat to the conservative Liberal Party at upcoming elections Saturday. The 22 candidates call themselves “teal independents” — greener than the blue colors of the Liberal Party and urging more government action to stop global warming. Their potential is evident in the current Parliament. The Liberal-led coalition held just a one-vote majority in the House of Representatives. And the weekend elections are expected to continue a trend of Australian voters abandoning major political parties in favor of independents and fringe parties.