Federal election 2022: Greens candidate Stephen Bates places ads on Grindr

A Queensland candidate has given the grind of the election campaign a whole new meaning, as he takes the battle to Grindr.

The election campaign be a grind but one political candidate has given it a whole new meaning.

Greens candidate for the seat of Brisbane Stephen Bates has taken out ads on gay dating site Grindr, with the cheeky tagline: “The best parliaments are hung!”.

While another reads “Spice up Canberra with a third” and “You always come first with The Greens!.”

Mr Bates told News Corp that Brisbane has one of the “highest queer votes” and one of the youngest voter demographics in the country.

“Being gay myself I know just how much our community relies on the app to communicate with one another, make friends, find love, or just hook up,” he said.

“The slogans and ads are fun but also have a serious underlying message. We are heading for a hung parliament after the election where the Greens could use the balance of power to make real, positive change on climate and cost of living.”

New Greens candidate Stephen Bates seat of Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The 29-year-old is up against Trevor Evans, 40, from the centre-right Liberal National Party.

“The current MP for Brisbane voted against the religious discrimination bill and all amendments put in to protect queer kids in school,” Mr Bates said.

“I want the community to know that they can have a representative who is proud of who they are and will stand shoulder to shoulder with them against discrimination, and not throw them under the bus to advance their political career.”

This isn’t the first time a Greens candidate has made a bold move for their campaign.

Melbourne Greens candidate Sam Hibbins served geolocated ads on the gay dating app in 2014, as well as promoted the Greens Party at events held at gay clubs.

Greens candidate for the seat of Brisbane Stephen Bates has taken out ads on gay dating site Grindr Source: Supplied

And in 2016, Melbourne Greens candidate Alex Bhathal used a Grindr to criticise the sitting Labor MP David Feeney.

Political scientist Dr Glenn Kefford, from the University of Queensland, said political parties are “recognising that they need to go where the voters are”.

“ Increasingly, parties and candidates are trying to message to voters in a wide range of channels,” he said.

“And in recent election cycles this has started to go beyond social media platforms such as Facebook and towards any other apps that significant numbers of voters are on.

“Dating apps are one example of this where there are sufficient numbers of young voters. The Greens use Grindr as they have strong support within the LGBTIQ+ community.”

New Greens candidate Stephen Bates seat of Brisbane, Mt Coot-Tha. Picture:: Liam Kidston.

Mr Bates said the response to the adverts have been “overwhelmingly positive”.

“You’re never going to be able to please everyone all of the time but these ads are doing a great job of getting people to engage with the Greens,” he said.

“I think campaigning is about meeting people where they are at. We have knocked on close to 10,000 doors, been at numerous community events, at markets, and so much more.

“These ads are just another way to connect with the community and have fun while doing it.”

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