Greens candidates Jo Rocke (Senate), Christina Hobbs (Senate), Isabel Mudford (Canberra), Dani Hunterford (Fenner) and Sam Carter (Bean). Photo: Supplied.
A Paralympian and a policy adviser will join a PhD sociology student as the Greens candidates for the three ACT seats at the upcoming federal election.
Sam Carter, who has excelled at wheelchair athletics and won a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, will contest the southside seat of Bean against Labor incumbent David Smith.
Dani Hunterford, a young University of Canberra master’s student who works in policy in the not-for-profit sector, will take on high-profile Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh in the seat of Fenner, which covers Gungahlin and parts of Belconnen.
Mr Carter and Ms Hunterford unsuccessfully ran as candidates at the recent ACT local government elections and will face uphill battles to unseat MPs who won comfortably in 2022.
Mr Smith holds Bean with a margin of 13 per cent and Mr Leigh’s advantage in Fenner is 16 per cent.
The Greens duo, who were announced at a press conference on Friday (24 January), will join sociology PhD student Isabel Mudford, who is taking on Labor MP Alicia Payne for the seat of Canberra, which covers the centre of town, inner south, inner north and parts of Belconnen.
All three candidates have identified addressing cost-of-living increases, fairness and the difference between them and the two major parties as part of their election platform.
“As a Paralympian and advocate for people with disability, I’ve seen how government decisions can impact the livelihoods of so many in our community, no matter who they are,” Mr Carter said.
“But instead, Labor and the Liberals prioritise corporate interests over the needs of ordinary people, leaving renters and people struggling with the cost of living behind.
“By voting Greens in this election in any seat, you can elect community members who will fight for fairness and equality – fight for a future that puts people first.”
Ms Hunterford says a vote for her will help people hold Labor to account and keep Opposition Leader Peter Dutton out of power.
“As a young person, a renter and a passionate advocate for change working in harm reduction in the not-for-profit sector, I know that this election presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to make real change,” she said.
“But while our community is struggling with the cost of living, the major parties are supporting new coal mines and giving tax breaks to big corporations.”
Ms Mudford was also keen to distinguish her party from Labor and the Liberals.
“Instead of working for you, the two major parties have been taking millions in donations from big corporations,” she said.
”These corporations donate because it gets them results – all while our community struggles with the cost of living.
“Unlike the major parties, the Australian Greens refuse to take donations from big corporations. Our movement is powered by everyday people – volunteers from all walks of life. Because of them, we work for the community, not corporate interests.”
The date of the federal election is yet to be set, but it must be held before October.
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