I'm running against the prime minister to stand up to a system that has facilitated the success of Pauline Hanson | Hannah Ferguson
Guardian AU
β’Wed, 29 Jul 2026 15:00:38 GMT
π° What Happened
Hannah Ferguson, CEO of Cheek Media, announced she will run as an independent against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his Sydney seat of Grayndler. In her Guardian Australia op-ed, she argues the political system has facilitated the rise of Pauline Hanson and that Australians are fed up with the political establishment.
π The Backstory
Ferguson is the founder and CEO of Cheek Media, a progressive Australian media outlet targeting younger audiences. The seat of Grayndler in Sydney's inner-west has been held by Anthony Albanese since 1996. A wave of 'teal' independents successfully challenged safe Liberal seats in 2022, and Ferguson is attempting a similar play against Labor.
π― Why It Matters
Ferguson's candidacy tests whether the independent movement that unseated moderate Liberals can work against Labor incumbents. It also highlights growing frustration with the major party system and could reshape the dynamics of the next federal election, particularly if it forces Albanese to spend resources defending his own seat.
Hannah Ferguson, CEO of Cheek Media, announced she will run as an independent against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in his Sydney seat of Grayndler. In her Guardian Australia op-ed, she argues the political system has facilitated the rise of Pauline Hanson and that Australians are fed up with the political establishment.
Ferguson is the founder and CEO of Cheek Media, a progressive Australian media outlet targeting younger audiences. The seat of Grayndler in Sydney's inner-west has been held by Anthony Albanese since 1996. A wave of 'teal' independents successfully challenged safe Liberal seats in 2022, and Ferguson is attempting a similar play against Labor.
Ferguson's candidacy tests whether the independent movement that unseated moderate Liberals can work against Labor incumbents. It also highlights growing frustration with the major party system and could reshape the dynamics of the next federal election, particularly if it forces Albanese to spend resources defending his own seat.