Coalition scrimps on MPs as Climate 200-backed independents outspend them in key seats

Analysis by Guardian Australia of the key seats being contested between Liberal MPs and Climate 200-backed independents shows that the Coalition has committed a total of just $92m out of a total of almost $6bn in discretionary spending made since the beginning of the year.

This covers the seats of Wentworth, Mackellar, North Sydney, Kooyong, Goldstein, Warringah and Curtin.

On advertising, analysis of Facebook and Google political ad transparency data shows independent candidates, backed by Climate 200 and donations from individuals, are outspending their opponents by tens of thousands of dollars on digital ads in Kooyong, North Sydney, Mackellar, Wentworth and Goldstein. This also includes ads for candidates run by the Climate 200 Facebook page, as well as Liberal party Facebook pages.

It is expected that Scamps will spend more than $1m trying to win the seat, with a combination of traditional and digital advertising.

Falinski suggested that the independents could instead be directing their financial resources to charity, giving the example of much-needed emergency accommodation for women fleeing domestic violence as one worthy cause.

The single largest government commitment made to the teal seats since the beginning of the year is $75m for the Wakehurst Parkway in Mackellar. The seat of Wentworth has been promised $500,000 for upgrades to Redleaf Beach to make it more accessible, while North Sydney has been pledged just $85,000 in discretionary grants for the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace.

According to digital advertising data compiled by Guardian Australia, Falinski has spent about $13,000 on Facebook and Google advertising, compared with about $100,000 spent by Scamps and Climate 200.

In Wentworth, independent Allegra Spender and Climate 200 have spent almost $140,000 on Facebook and Google ads, more than twice the amount spent by incumbent MP Dave Sharma.

Independent for Goldstein Zoe Daniel and Climate 200 have spent almost $40,000 on digital advertising compared with only $2,000 to Wilson and the Victorian Liberal party.

Ryan has secured more than $1m in funding from 1,800 donors including Climate 200, with estimates that the candidates are on track to spend more than $2m.

The only Coalition-funded local project in the seat announced so far is $2m for the Yarra Boulevard upgrade.