Media Founder Hannah Ferguson Announces Independent Run for Prime Minister Albanese's Seat of Grayndler

Hannah Ferguson, the 28‑year‑old founder and CEO of Cheek Media, confirmed she will contest the inner‑west Sydney electorate of Grayndler as an independent candidate at the next Australian federal election. Her bid puts her in direct competition with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has held the seat since 1996 and enjoys a 17.3% Labor margin.

Ferguson said community engagement shifted her focus from an initial Senate consideration to a lower‑house challenge, noting local concerns such as gambling, the Gaza conflict, a gas export tax and AI regulation. She described the political system as “broken” and urged better representation for residents. The move adds a high‑profile independent challenge to a traditionally safe Labor seat.

Quotes from Ferguson include: “As a 28‑year‑old, Gen Z woman … there is a real risk in taking on the prime minister of a country,” and “The first question I got in that room at that community event was ‘where are you running? Are you running here?’