Former Triple J host Alex Dyson stands for election

A popular former Triple J radio host has emerged as a surprise independent candidate in the upcoming federal election.

Popular former Triple J radio host Alex Dyson is standing as an independent candidate in the western Victorian seat of Wannon in next month’s federal election.

Dyson drew number four on the ballot at the Warrnambool election office on Wednesday, ahead of sitting Liberal member Dan Tehan.

“I think people are a bit disillusioned,” Dyson, who is known to his fans as “Rat Dog”, told the Warrnambool Standard. “It’s good to be a voice for all people.”

Alex Dyson, left, and Tom Ballard in 2009.

Dyson grew up in Warrnambool where he started his radio career on community station 3WayFM with fellow comedian Tom Ballard, before the pair moved to the ABC’s youth station.

Dyson hosted the breakfast show with Ballard from 2010 to 2014 before the latter left to focus on stand-up comedy. Dyson continued hosting with Matt Okine until the end of 2016.

In recent months Dyson and fellow Triple J alum Kyran Wheatley opened a bar in central Melbourne and started their own podcast.

The election will take place on Saturday May 18.

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