Latest news with #ZoeDaniel
The Age
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Who would take a risk with this toxic politics?
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. SAFETY I was deeply saddened by the article (' Zoe Daniel feared for her safety in toxic election campaign ', 16/5) in which former MP Zoe Daniel (pictured) detailed the fear for her safety and life in the recent federal election campaign. There is a side issue here. Namely that young people will move away from being involved in the local political scene due to its potential for violence. Until now we encouraged their involvement: whether in the selection of the candidate, as a volunteer in the many aspects of a local campaign, or as a scrutineer on election night. That is true democracy in action. We need to learn how to call out bad behaviour safely in all areas of our lives and be models on how to be involved in the democratic process. Maree Williams, Kew Display of dignity At last the truth about the toxic campaign in Goldstein is starting to emerge. As a resident of the electorate I was frequently angered by the offensive rhetoric used by several of the organisations cited in The Age 's report. No wonder Zoe Daniel felt concerned for her and her family's safety. We are all losers when political candidates of any persuasion are subjected to such appalling tactics during an election campaign. Hopefully the next campaign in Goldstein is characterised, on all sides, by the dignity and integrity shown by Daniel and her team this year. Judy Williams, Beaumaris Election distraction What a load of self justification and blaming from Zoe Daniel for her election loss. Typical of the teals, who are effectively a political party with Climate 200 funding and policies. Brian Murphy, Balwyn North Too smart to enter politics After reading her interview, I feel for Zoe Daniel and the trauma she suffered due to the ugly political climate of the last election. We've seen two politicians murdered in the US and it's a deeply disturbing state of affairs. I first encountered a bizarre incident going to see a film in Brighton where a volunteer for Zoe Daniel entered a cafe after her shift and was verbally abused by a passionate supporter of Tim Wilson, which nearly led to an altercation. I intervened and thankfully through humour diffused the situation. I know some outstanding women who would make wonderful contributions to public life but sadly they are much too smart to enter politics now. Sally Walcock, Toorak Nastiness on both sides It's time Zoe Daniel accepted the fact she lost her seat and moved on. That she and her supporters are still seething about the result is obvious, yet she blames everyone but her own side for the conduct of the campaign. Tim Wilson experienced first hand just how nasty anti-Liberal campaigners could be – even a month after the election he was bailed up by an aggressive activist while being interviewed by The Age in a cafe. Greg Hardy, Upper Ferntree Gully Fresh threats Tim Wilson was able to keep his hands clean while the Liberal Party hid behind so-called third parties, and their deluge of disinformation, to do their dirty work. Third parties represent a growing threat to our democracy as local groups supporting community independents are mostly unable to match the large donations these groups receive. They are often funded by a small number of wealthy individuals, many with ties to fossil fuels and mining and invested in maintaining a two-party system. With new donation laws limiting spending by candidates in future elections, one needs to ask whether limits also need to be applied to these groups or limiting campaign advertising to only those candidates and parties seeking political office. Otherwise we will end up going down the political path of the US. Robert Campbell, Brighton East
Epoch Times
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Liberals Reclaim Goldstein After Recount
Independent teal MP Zoe Daniel has formally conceded the Victorian seat of Goldstein after a partial recount confirmed Liberal candidate Tim Wilson won by 175 votes. The result marks Wilson's return to Parliament and comes days after his appointment as the shadow employment minister.
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
PETER VAN ONSELEN: All of the hints Zoe Daniel could have escaped a humiliating loss to Tim Wilson were in her five minute concession video
Former teal independent MP Zoe Daniel has finally conceded defeat. After celebrating her 'victory' on the night of the election - including with ecstatic dancing - before demanding a recount despite the win falling outside the margin that requires one, Daniel has eventually acknowledged that she lost. The Liberal win in the electorate of Goldstein was the only seat anywhere in the country picked up by either of the Coalition parties. The Nationals didn't win a single seat off Labor or regional independents. Beyond defeating Daniel in Goldstein the Liberals didn't defeat a single sitting Labor, Green or teal MP. No other teals lost their seats. On any estimate, Daniel's failure was an isolated incident. It speaks to both the failure of the one term MP and the success of the campaign returning MP Tim Wilson ran against her. Far from being a blueprint for success, Daniel's loss was a sure sign that something wasn't right about her foray into parliamentary politics. Not that you'd know it if all you heard about the Goldstein showdown was Daniel's five minute concession video posted to social media. So far as ungracious defeats go, it was right up there. Perhaps not analogous with Donald Trump's reaction to losing the 2020 US Presidential election - but not as far off as you might have expected given the scathing commentary Daniel delivered Trump's way soon afterwards, accusing him of struggling to accept the reality of his loss. It took an unnecessary recount demanded by Daniel and weeks of denial to pass before the loser eventually reversed her election night victory dance and called Wilson to concede. The concession video including everything from claims about supporting lower taxes (Daniel voted for cancelling the legislated stage three tax cuts and once argued for a higher GST) to complaints about dirty tricks on the campaign trail. Daniel even delivered a statement directly to Vida Goldstein whom the seat is named after ('Vida, it's a mission') despite the pioneering feminist and suffragette passing away 76 years ago. There were hints in the concession speech that Daniel might run again, but no guarantees. If she does do so, she'll need to adopt a more conciliatory style to make a better fist of it. Despite Daniel's strong advocacy for the Palestinian cause, her concession video also included claims that she worked hard for both Jewish and pro-Palestinian constituents. During the course of the campaign, however, Jewish advocacy groups were critical of the stance Daniel took. It is highly likely that the Jewish vote in Goldstein was of itself enough to flip the seat given the seat has one of the highest Jewish populations of any electorate. While Daniel can be proud of winning the seat in 2022, there is little doubt that her ungracious failure to admit defeat before this weekend is a blight on her time in office. Whether it also turns out to be a nail in the coffin of any future ambition to return to parliament remains to be seen.
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Liberal candidate Tim Wilson takes back tightly contested seat in Goldstein, Victoria from independent Zoe Daniel
Liberal Tim Wilson said his win in the Victorian seat of Goldstein was because he looked to 'reverse engineer' teal strategies that brought them success in 2022. Mr Wilson said his campaign focusing on a bright vision for the future appealed to the electorate and delivered one of the rare flips for the Liberal Party in the federal election. 'I think we were speaking to people's sense of hope and ambition … we weren't playing small, we were going big. We talked very optimistically about a hopeful future,' Mr Wilson told RN Breakfast on Monday. Mr Wilson finished 175 votes ahead of independent candidate Zoe Daniel, attributing the result to the way his campaign had 'brought together a lot of people who wanted to have a shared vision for the community and the country'. 'After the 2022 election, we looked very closely at, well, what do we need to do to change and adjust to fight a new political threat? And what is it that's driving voters to support the teals? 'We worked on it for a very long period of time.' Ms Daniel hinted that she may make another run for the seat in the next election. 'Today we did not win. But we are not defeated. Hard things are hard, and a better kind of politics is worth fighting for. See you in 2028? Maybe!' the former ABC journalist wrote on X. Ms Daniel demanded a recount after losing the seat to Mr Wilson by just 260 votes, saying several errors were made during the distribution of preferences. The Australian Electoral Commission finalised the partial recount of 85,000 votes on Saturday, confirming Mr Wilson had won with a margin of 175 votes. In a statement posted to social media, Mr Wilson said after 29 days of counting the Liberals had 14,697 more first preference votes than the former MP. 'I want to thank all Goldstein voters but particularly the extraordinary effort some went to so their voice was heard,' he said. 'Now the recount is finished, the result is clear. It is time to get on with the job and take the voice and values of Goldstein to shape the future of Australia.' Ms Daniel declared victory in the highly contested seat on election night after early counting leaned heavily in her favour. But a surge in postal votes over the following days swung the pendulum back into blue-ribbon territory, with the seat called for Mr Wilson on May 7. Ms Daniel refused to concede the seat at the time, insisting on waiting for the full distribution of preferences, and then demanded a recount, which was granted in part by the AEC. She said it had been a long process to recount the 85,000 votes, representing 75 per cent of votes cast. 'Goldstein is now one of the most marginal seats in the country, and with that comes embedded accountability,' she said. 'In that, we have done our job. 'In a world where trust in elections is being eroded in so many places, we should never take this for granted.'
ABC News
01-06-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Analyst says Liberals can learn from Goldstein victory
A political analyst believes the Liberals can take lessons from the party's narrow victory in the Melbourne electorate of Goldstein after Tim Wilson won back the seat from Independent Zoe Daniel by 175 votes.
