‘Adam, Adam’: Bandt spins out young voters with influencer Abbie Chatfield
Greens leader Adam Bandt has targeted young voters with a DJ set with influencer Abbie Chatfield dancing with a giant red toothbrush to plug a promise of ‘free dental’. SEE THE VIDEO
Federal Election
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Anthony Albanese is known for his alter ego, DJ Albo.
But his crown as the parliament’s best known DJ is under threat, with Greens leader Adam Bandt again hitting the decks with reality TV star and podcaster Abbie Chatfield.
The sold out event, VOTE Brisbane edition, was hosted by Chatfield at The Brightside in Fortitude Valley on Thursday night.
Video from last night’s event shows the Greens leader in the party’s signature “vote” cap, dancing in front of a packed crowd to fan favourites by Charli XCX.
Revellers were chanting “Adam, Adam”, while one video shows Chatfield dancing with the Greens giant red toothbrush.
The events are an attempt to win over younger voters, as the Greens hope to be in the balance of power if there is a hung parliament following the May 3 election.
Chatfield, who is a vocal critic of the Coalition, has become a secret weapon for the minor party as she has more than half a million followers on both TikTok and Instagram.
The influencer has thrown her weight behind the Greens, appearing in a national Greens ad telling voters to “keep Dutton out”, vote 1 Greens and preference Labor ahead of the LNP.
She also says more Greens in the parliament will put pressure on Labor to act, with the party pushing for dental in Medicare and a crackdown on multinational tax avoidance.
Both Bandt and Mr Albanese have done interviews on her podcast, It's A Lot, in the lead up to the election.
However, this prompted an investigation from the Australian Electoral Commission about whether it was electoral content and required an authorisation statement.
She was later cleared of any wrongdoing by the watchdog, which found no statement was needed as both were invited to participate voluntarily.
Mr Albanese has ruled out doing a deal with the Greens but the Opposition has repeatedly warned voters that Labor will be forced to bow to the minor party's demands in a second term if the Coalition is not elected.
The Greens have promised to add free dental to Medicare.
The minor party says it has “unfinished business” on the issue after securing free dental for kids under 18 in 2010.
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In 2021, the aged care royal commission recommended the federal government establish a seniors dental scheme come 2023.
It is estimated this would cost $1.1bn a year for 2.8 million eligible seniors. But neither major party has committed to this.
Bandt’s DJ sets have quickly gained a cult following two performances in Melbourne.
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