An Independent candidate for Eden-Monaro has accused Labor and The Greens of “putting politics before the environment” by placing him low on their preferences. 

Independent Andrew Thaler made the remark, saying he and his wife have 8000 solar panels - the highest privately-owned amount that he knows of.

Speaking on Tuesday, he said he owns the Superdome Solar Array, the Singleton Solar Farm and is building another solar farm in his home town Nimmitabel.

There was also a high chance he had purchased the Queanbeyan Solar Farm, but he was concerned about Labor interfering with the buy so he had held off announcing the news.

“I’m one of the top people in Australia pursuing renewable energy development,” Mr Thaler said.

“But [Labor] don’t speak to me. They stick me down the bottom of their how to vote card, essentially telling people not to vote for me.

“The Greens have done the same thing.” 

Mr Thaler said the Liberals preferenced him third as he has made an effort to talk to Coalition politicians over the last few years.

It was ironic, he said, that many offered to invest in the solar farms he was looking to build. 

Eden-Monaro Independent candidate Daniel Grosmaire is sitting at the top of the ballot sheet, a position that he thinks may have an impact on his chances. 

While both Labor and The Greens have preferenced him at number three, he does not think this will have any affect and does not have preferences of his own.

“People should make their own choices,” Mr Grosmaire said.

“I don’t have preferences of my own, otherwise what is the point of me running?”

The third Independent for the seat, Ray Buckley, was surprised he had been placed behind Christian Democratic Party candidate Ursula Bennett on Labor’s preferences, but expected he would be down the bottom on the Liberal’s how to vote sheets. 

However, he was not worried about where he was sitting on any of the parties’ preference cards.

“For me it’s about raising awareness on climate change and sustainability, and if I can change one person’s mind then it’s worth it,” Mr Buckley said. 

He said his own preferences will go to The Greens, and “people can decide after that”.