Candidates for the Victorian Greens are using popular dating applications Tinder, Grindr and Bumble to make their pitch to voters before this month’s state election.
But the party said they were confident candidates were using the dating applications “appropriately,” and not sharing any content the public would deem to be inappropriate.
The Greens, who are expected to increase their representation at November’s poll by picking up a number of inner-city seats, have referred to the strategy as a “digital doorknock” and have claimed under-40s make up one-third of Victorian voters.
Aiv Puglielli, Greens candidate for North-East Metro, said constituents were refreshed by seeing potential parliamentarians on dating applications.
“I’ve been blown away by the conversations I’ve had with young voters on these apps,” said Mr Puglielli, who describes himself as an artist and member of the LGBTQIA+ community on his candidate profile.
“People want change and they’re refreshed by seeing their local representatives as real people, swiping right on Tinder or tapping on Grindr,” he said.
“In between the many ‘emissions’ and ‘local member’ jokes, I’ve had genuinely important conversations with Victorians who want stronger action on climate change and housing affordability, and want parties like the Greens to make it happen.”
Mr Puglielli said he was “excited” to see Victorians “thirsty” for a progressive parliament.
According to Statista, 3.2 million Australians were using dating applications in 2021, the largest demographic being those aged 25-34.
In this year’s federal election, the now Greens member for Brisbane Stephen Bates took out political ads on Grindr, a predominately gay and lesbian dating app.
This week’s announcement from the Greens comes on a day dominated by findings concerning senior members of the state’s Liberal opposition and supposedly “soft porn” social media accounts they follow.
The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that shadow treasurer David Davis had followed the Instagram account @melbourneboudoirbykaren, or Badass Boudoir.
The account shares photographs of older women wearing lingerie in often sexually suggestive poses.
Liberal front bencher Brad Battin was also revealed to be following an OnlyFans model on his Tiktok account, however there was no suggestion by the newspaper Mr Battin subscribes to the model’s OnlyFans page.
James Bennett-Hullin, Liberal candidate for Geelong, was found to be following self-described “Playboy Playmate turned Photographer” Jessica Vaugn.
In total, seven Liberal sitting members and candidates were found to be following risque social media accounts.
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