Dani Hunterford isn’t your typical political candidate and that’s exactly why she’s running for the seat of Fenner at the 2025 Federal Election. Offering lived experience, local connection and reform, she’s asking voters to send a “fresh voice” to Parliament.
Hunterford grew up in northern NSW, including the town of Lismore, before moving to the ACT when she was 16-years-old to attend college. Having studied a Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canberra (UC), she is currently finishing her Master of Public Policy so that she can get a “practical understanding of how government policy works and how it shapes people’s lives.” Hunterford says that UC holds a special place in her heart.
Hunterford gets a lot of criticism for her young age. However, she’s not the only generation Z candidate standing at this election and she says that’s how it should be. She argues that young people’s lived experience is invaluable.
“50% of voters in this election are going to be Millennials and Gen Z. Why shouldn’t 50% of the candidates going up for this election be Millennial or Gen Z?”
Hunterford wants to remind voters that being young that means she can relate to the average Australian. She says that unlike many other politicians, she knows what it’s like to struggle to buy a home and provide for herself.
“I’ve lived the experience of not being able to pay rent. I’ve got lived experience of putting off food so that I can go to the GP. Why shouldn’t that lived experience be elevated and be in the halls of Parliament? We need to be investing in young people [and] prioritising that lived experience so that [it] can shape the decisions that these people are making about our futures.“
Ever since moving to the ACT, Hunterford has lived in the electorate of Fenner and she has put down deep roots.
“I love the electorate so much. When I first moved to Canberra, I moved to Gungahlin. I went to Gungahlin College. I now live out in West Belconnen. I’ve lived all over the electorate of Fenner and I’ve had so many fundamental experiences there. I learned to drive in Fenner. I got my first job in Fenner. I even got married in Fenner.”
Fenner is generally considered a safe Labor seat but Hunterford argues that serves as an excuse for the Labor Party to pull funding and investment away from Fenner. Hunterford plans to step up for her community in Fenner and make sure that the Government delivers for communities.
“The people here [in Fenner] are struggling, and they deserve to be paid attention. Fenner is a very changing seat, but it’s evident that the only viable option in Fenner is the Greens.”
Growing up, Hunterford wasn’t exposed to a lot of politics but she did see how society failed people such as her sister, who lives with a disability. This inspired a lifelong mission to help as many people as she can.
“I’ve always just been a staunch advocate. I knew that it was always what I wanted to do. I just want to do everything I can to make society better.”
While many people argue the Greens are too ambitious, Ms Hunterford says ambition is what’s needed.
“At the moment, we’ve got people living below the poverty line, people without homes. Why can’t our government step up? Why can’t our governments treat people as people and acknowledge that they need help?”
They have also pledged to make price gouging illegal and break-up the supermarket duopoly between Coles and Woolworths, which Hunterford says will make a massive difference to the cost-of-living crisis.
Hunterford says she is unapologetically bold and won’t back down when it comes to her values. She believes an effective political leader fights for their constituents and doesn’t compromise on their values.
“Equity is a value that I hold very, very dear to me and I use that to guide everything… even making the decision to step up to be the candidate for Fenner.”
Photos by Jessica Menace