Former Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has conceded his seat of Kooyong in east Melbourne after a tightly fought contest with climate-focused “teal” independent candidate Monique Ryan.
Kooyong was formally considered a safe, blue-ribbon seat for the now-defeated Coalition, once held by centre-right Liberal Party founder Sir Robert Menzies.
The electorate fell after a concerted, grassroots effort from the Climate 200 group, which also targeted other affluent, inner-city seats across the country held by the government.
“Today I rang Dr. Monique Ryan to congratulate her on the election result in Kooyong and wished her well for the term ahead,” Frydenberg said in a statement. “It’s been an incredible privilege to have served as the local member for the last 12 years.”…