Teal Monique Ryan Holds Seat, Calls for Faster Electrification of Energy Grid

The Teal MP has managed to hold off a strong push from the Liberal Party to reclaim the former blue-ribbon electorate of Kooyong.

Signage for Amelia Hamer and Monique Ryan can be seen at Kew Primary School in the seat of Kooyong in Melbourne, Australia on May 3, 2025. Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Teal Monique Ryan has claimed the seat of Kooyong after a close battle with the Liberal Party’s star recruit Amelia Hamer in Victoria.

Ryan cautiously declared victory after receiving a phone call from Hamer conceding defeat. This was the second time she claimed victory, after also celebrating on election night.

However, in the days since election night on May 3, the contest tightened on postal and absentee votes with Ryan’s lead under pressure.

Electoral commission statistics show that Ryan received 50.5 percent of the two party preferred vote so far, compared to Hamer’s 49.5 percent.

At the moment, Ryan is leading by 1,129 votes on a two party preferred basis, which is too much for Hamer to peg back with 91.8 percent counted.

Hamer received 43.3 percent of the primary vote compared to just 34 percent for Ryan, with the Climate 200 MP’s vote increasing by 3.2 percent, likely at the expense of the Greens.

Labor candidate Clive Crosby received 11.8 percent of first preference votes, while the Greens candidate Jackie Carter garnered 7.6 percent of the vote.

Ryan Pushes for Net Zero Action

Following her victory, Ryan pushed for more action on net zero including further electrification of the energy grid. She claimed rewiring Australia had been “held up” which she said was “costing us all.”

“They need to move more quickly with the net zero transition,” she told reporters on May 13.

Monique Ryan the Teals MP for the seat of Kooyong speaks during a community candidates' forum in Melbourne, Australia on April 24, 2025. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

“We need to have greater clarity around how electrification can work in the suburbs and how homes and businesses can be assisted to get off fossil fuels and to electrify in a way that’s quick and effective, which brings down their energy costs quickly but also takes pressure off the grid.”

Ryan said changes to the electoral boundaries of Kooyong had changed the demographics in her seat, and said she would adjust over the next three years.

Prior to the election, Ryan said she wanted to a target of a 75 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2035.

Her platform also includes cutting emissions by 60 percent by 2030 and accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles.

Liberal Values Like Individual Freedom ‘Timeless’: Hamer

Liberal candidate Hamer said that it was clear the remaining ballots could not deliver her the seat.

“To the more than 54,811 Kooyong locals who voted for me, thank you for your confidence and trust in me as a potential representative. To those who took the time to speak with me and share your perspectives, values, and ideas, thank you,” she said.

“To all our incredible volunteers who knocked on countless doors, stood at train stations in the early mornings, and shopping centres on the weekend, thank you.”

Hamer also emphasised the Liberal Party values of individual freedom, and equality of opportunity.

“We are so lucky to have a beautiful local community, a fair democracy, and a wonderful country. I hope to play my small part in making it a better place, now and into the future,” she said.

Hamer is the grandniece of former Victorian Premier Dick Hamer.