In the heart of the Inner West and the seat of Grayndler, Hannah Thomas, a resident of Newtown, aims to take on Anthony Albanese. Thomas is challenging the PM for re-election and holding him to account for the government’s position on the Gaza conflict.
“Month after month we witnessed genocide. It became too much to bear, living in an electorate where the most powerful man in the nation remained inactive.” A powerful opening line from Thomas at a recent community forum when asked what compelled her to run in such a safe electorate.
Albanese has occupied the seat of Grayndler since 1996. Thomas believes the people of the Inner West “deserve someone who will fight for them and who genuinely represents their values.”
After immigrating to Australia in 2009 as an international student, the now lawyer and political activist grew up a part of a family with strong progressive values. “It was probably inevitable that I’d eventually join the Greens once Australia became home.” Thomas says in an interview for the Greens party in February. Noting that she was drawn to the Greens during Tony Abbott’s tenure as PM, after seeing both major parties’ methods of dealing with refugees and people seeking asylum. “The Greens were the only party pushing back against the cruelty and racism, and that remains the case today.” she says.
Thomas sees Grayndler and its people as a chance to “hold the Prime Minister to account.” As well as an “incredible opportunity to send the loudest possible message to the Albanese Government that we deserve better.” She added in an interview for Sydney Criminal Lawyers, that she wants a government that will endeavour to address the problems of everyday people.
Thomas describes her campaign as a way for the people of Grayndler to vote for a more progressive and true representation of their values. On her social media she often promotes her availability, interacting with the community through the attendance at community forums. She says she makes a point to be available to her voters through many pop up appearances at local train stations and countless door knocks through the many suburbs of her electorate.
When questioned at the forum on how she would represent the area if elected, Thomas referred to her use of community consultation in her campaign as her way to ensure she serves her electorate. Also assuring to fight anti-protest laws, the current legislation in NSW means protesters can be jailed for up to two years and face fines of up to $22,000. Thomas reinforces that she intends to “push for change by supporting protest.”
In parts of Grayndler including Sydenham, Marrickville and Stanmore you will see some of Albanese’s campaign posters have been defaced and vandalized. Possibly a sign that not everyone in the progressive Inner West area would welcome the idea of another Albanese government. In this election Thomas and the Greens will be trying to prove that Grayndler isn’t as safe as Labor might think, by hoping to capture the attention of younger voters.
In the 2019 election the Greens’ largest voter base was millennials (1981 to 1996), with almost 30% of them voting for the party with their first preference. (Australian Election Study) Thomas’ campaign for freezing and capping rent, as well as her hard stance on new coal and gas plants, could very well see increased support for the Greens. With 51% of Australians surveyed in 2023 by the Climate Council stating they are worried about climate change and extreme weather events in Australia. Additionally, 84% of respondents to a 2021 Youth Action survey selected the cost of rental properties as their issue with housing.
In the previous election, Albanese’s primary vote was 53.6%, with the Greens candidate Rachael Jacobs at 22.1%. This could provide Thomas with a launching point to generate a swing in her favour. Forcing Labor’s primary vote below 50% while achieving 30% of the primary, would be a very successful outcome for Thomas. Considering no minor party has ever achieved a primary vote that high in a PM’s electorate.
“We don’t have to settle for the same,” says Thomas.
