Gold Coast Mermaid Waters dating app candidate Saraya Beric hits Tinder for votes

A SINGLE Gold Coaster standing as an independent in the election says she’s ‘thinking outside the box’ in her quest for votes — by taking to Tinder.

Saraya Beric, standing as an independent candidate in the Queensland state election for Mermaid Waters against LNP incumbent Ray Stevens, has resorted to dating app Tinder as a campaign tool

A GOLD Coaster standing as an independent in the Queensland election has resorted to dating app Tinder — but to chase votes not dates.

Mermaid Waters candidate Saraya Beric, a former marketer for One Nation and its controversial leader Pauline Hanson, said she didn’t have the budget of the major parties so had to think outside the box.

Those swiping through Tinder who come across her profile on the app are greeted with a smiling photo of the single 33-year-old and the message: “ ... you may be looking for a date ... But I’m looking for your vote on the 25th November!”

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Saraya Beric resorted to dating app Tinder as a campaign tool, saying she doesn’t have the budget of the major political parties and has to get creative — and maybe Parliament needs more people like that.

The former professional violinist turned marketer who is running for office for the first time, said she had to get creative.

“As an independent candidate, I don’t have the big funds that the political parties have and so I’ve used social media and now dating app Tinder to help get my message out.

“At least I can never be accused of not thinking outside the box. Maybe that’s exactly what we need in Parliament.”

Saraya Beric, standing as an independent candidate in the Queensland state election for Mermaid Waters against LNP incumbent Ray Stevens, has resorted to dating app Tinder as a campaign tool

Photos attached to her Tinder profile have messages including “I’m sick of gutless, lying politicians” and asks for those on the app to consider giving her their vote or she might have to go on reality TV’s The Bachelorette for her next publicity stunt.

Her Tinder profile also calls out Ray Stevens.

The election is in its final week, with Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk holding her party’s campaign launch on the Gold Coast with support from Brisbane boxer Jeff Horn who defeated Manny Pacquiao earlier this year.

Saraya Beric: “I don’t have the big funds that the political parties have and so I’ve used social media and now dating app Tinder to help get my message out.” Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Meanwhile, LNP leader Tim Nicholls had his campaign launch in Brisbane with backing from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.