As the federal election looms, politicians have been campaigning and sharing their platforms with Australian voters.

Along with it, they come up with ways to steal people's attention.

A candidate's 'Australian-first' approach to campaigning sparked conversations across the nation.


Greens MP Stephen Bates took his campaign to the spicier side of the internet.

Bates, a current member for Brisbane, started promoting his public health campaign on OnlyFans, a platform typically associated with adult content.

While the move garnered mixed reactions, the Greens' LGBTIQA+ spokesperson was no stranger to unconventional methods to reach his audience.


His first video on the platform presented the Greens' initiative to make PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) prescriptions free for anyone with a script.

These antiretroviral drugs have been a crucial part of fighting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.

Both drugs boast an efficacy rate of 99 per cent when taken daily.

While both drugs are on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), the cost of these medications can still be a financial burden.


'I campaign on OnlyFans and Grindr because it gets attention,' Bates explained in an interview.

'Sometimes you have to make a splash to make people pay attention to the things that matter.'

In light of his campaign, Stephen Bates argued that sexual responsibility should not come with a hefty price tag.

'You should not have to pay a fortune to be sexually responsible,' he asserted as he emphasised the importance of making these drugs more accessible.

'Ending HIV is too important to fly under the radar.'

This campaign strategy was not the first time for Bates.

During the 2022 federal election, he used queer dating app Grindr to engage with voters.

His slogan, 'You always come first with the Greens,' also stole people's attention.

Greens leader Adam Bandt has commended Stephen Bates for his innovative tactics.

Bandt recognised the importance of connecting with community members.

'When it comes to saving lives, you need to talk to everyone you can,' Bandt stated.

Watch Stephen Bates' video here:

Bates' OnlyFans campaign coincided with the Greens' broader efforts to address LGBTQIA+ discrimination.

This included proposals to appoint a Human Rights Commissioner dedicated to the community.

Greens candidate for Sydney Luc Velez highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the queer community, which include homelessness rates, mental health, workplace rights, and access to services.

With the federal election being two weeks away, Bates' foray into OnlyFans showed the evolving landscape of political campaigning.
What do you think of this novel approach to political campaigning? Is it a clever way to engage with a broader audience, or could it trivialise important issues? Share your thoughts about this campaign in the comments section below!