Ballots are yet to open in the NSW election but have the teals already won?

Jacqui Scruby, one of five Climate 200-backed candidates in the coming NSW election, says independents are ‘putting policies on the agenda that the major parties won’t touch’. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian

Many haven’t been elected yet – and they may never be – but a field of independents is already taking credit for a more progressive agenda emerging ahead of the New South Wales election.

“The benefits are really clear,” says Jacqui Scruby, a “teal” candidate for the seat of Pittwater.