2025-02-20
MEET THE CANDIDATE TAKING ON ANTHONY ALBANESE
Q&A with Hannah Thomas, Greens Candidate for Grayndler
Hannah is a lawyer, activist and renter living on unceded Gadigal land in Newtown. Having moved here in 2009 as an international student, she understands what it's like to experience racism and live in a state of visa precarity. Growing up with strong progressive values and being involved in community organising and activism, she is taking on the Prime Minister in the federal election and shares more about what motivated her to run.
Why did you put your hand up to run and what's it like to run against the Prime Minister?
If someone had told me 16 years ago – when I first arrived in this country as a shy, awkward and culture-shocked international student – that I’d be running against the Prime Minister of this country, there’s no chance I would have believed them.
But three things tipped me over the edge. Firstly, watching a live-streamed genocide in the electorate of the Prime Minister was too much to bear. There are very few people on this planet who possess the power to restrain the Israeli war machine as it slaughters countless Palestinians, but our local member was one of them. Instead, he failed to take action and should be held to account.
Secondly, as an immigrant and particularly someone who came to this country as an international student, I found it offensive and pathetic to have a landlord, property investor Prime Minister attempt to blame the housing and cost of living crisis on people like me. All while giving profiteering billionaires and price gouging big corporations a free pass.
Thirdly, I love this community. As an immigrant, I’ve found the people in the Inner West to be some of the warmest, kindest and most generous people I’ve met in this country. Yet they are currently represented by someone who has rushed through some of the most anti-refugee, Trumpian bills we’ve seen in decades. People here deserve a genuinely progressive alternative this election, someone who will keep Dutton out but also fight for them and represent their values.
What's been the best part of running in Grayndler so far?
There are so many things I love about running in Grayndler, but I’ll pick three again!
Labor takes Grayndler for granted and the Liberals know they are irrelevant here – so the floor is ours. We have the opportunity to run the biggest, loudest and most inspiring field campaign here of any party and we’re up for the challenge.
Also, we are the only people in the country with the power to personally hold the Prime Minister to account. And, for the first time, an Australian Prime Minister’s biggest threat in his own seat is the Greens. It’s an incredible opportunity to send the loudest possible message to the Albanese Government that we deserve better, that we deserve a Government that actually tackles the problems that everyday people face.
And, finally, campaigning in the Inner West means that I get to benefit from and help contribute to the years of community campaigns, activism, support networks and institutional knowledge that has delivered us numerous Greens councillors and staunch state advocates in Jenny Leong MP and Kobi Shetty MP. Furthermore, the opportunity to work to re-elect my staunch mentor, Greens Deputy Leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi, is a true privilege.
What drew you to being part of the Greens? What has been the best part of being in the movement?
I’m lucky to have grown up in Malaysia in a family with a long history of strong progressive values, where political engagement and activism was always encouraged. So it was probably inevitable that I’d eventually join the Greens once Australia became home.
The lightning rod events were Abbott’s prime ministership and witnessing the Liberal-Labor unity ticket of cruelty towards refugees and people seeking asylum. The Greens were the only party pushing back against the cruelty and racism, and that remains the case today.
The best part has unquestionably been the people I’ve met and lifelong friendships I’ve made. There’s a strong sense of community and camaraderie, especially in the lead-up to an election.
I have the immense privilege of spending every day campaigning with brilliant, kind people who share the fundamental belief that, in a wealthy country like ours, no one should live in poverty and everyone should be able to afford a home, food, and healthcare.
What gives you hope? And why?
Heaps of things. People turning away from the major parties in droves. Young people, and their views on everything from the climate crisis and capitalism to Palestine.
Preferential voting. The once in a generation opportunity for a minority government.
Class consciousness and seeing workers come together to demand fair conditions and wages, from the UWU members in Woolworths’ Distribution Centres and RTBU members across the NSW rail network, to Indian Farmers in Punjab and Haryana.
The increasing sense of solidarity amongst nations and people of the Global South as they fight colonial systems of oppression. The resistance of the Palestinian people in particular, and First Nations people here.
