Vinnie Batten, once the student voice for over 50,000 peers at QUT, is taking his passion for advocacy to the national stage by challenging Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for the seat of Dickson in the upcoming federal election. As a Greens candidate, Batten is part of a new generation of political hopefuls aiming to shift the national conversation toward affordability, sustainability, and a more inclusive Australia.
Batten’s political journey began at QUT, where he led the Student Guild in 2019. Under his leadership, the Guild reclaimed over a million dollars in unspent student services and amenities funding, expanded free breakfast programs, and rebuilt democratic structures that had been dismantled under previous conservative-aligned leadership. He says this experience highlighted the significance of grassroots organising and the need for independent student unions, shaping his commitment to making education reform a national priority.
He is now campaigning on issues that he argues are locking his generation out of a secure future: affordable housing, accessible healthcare, and free education. Batten believes these essential rights should not be treated as privileges. He advocates for free university and TAFE education and the cancellation of student debt, drawing from his experience leading the QUT Student Guild.
Cost-of-living pressures are another central theme of his platform. Batten believes young Australians are bearing the brunt of rising housing, food, and healthcare costs. He calls for rent caps, stronger tenant protections, and measures to curb supermarket price gouging to alleviate these pressures. Housing affordability is a key issue, with Batten supporting the scrapping of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount for investors, alongside a large-scale investment in affordable housing.
On climate change, Batten uses his background in environmental science to push for stronger action. He is advocating for an end to new coal and gas projects, increased investment in renewable energy, a ban on native forest logging, and improvements to public transport infrastructure. Batten believes that while the major parties continue to prioritise the interests of coal and gas billionaires, the focus should shift to the planet and people.
Having grown up with a disability, Batten is also pushing for better accessibility and support services. His calls include a fully funded NDIS, the creation of a dedicated federal Minister for Disability, and expanded mental health services, particularly for young people, LGBTQIA+ communities, First Nations communities and rural Australians.
Batten emphasises that parliament should reflect the diverse communities it represents. He believes there should be more young people, more individuals with lived experience, and more voices willing to challenge corporate interests. With a significant national profile, the contest in Dickson is expected to draw attention. Batten is positioning his campaign as an alternative that prioritises fairness, affordability, and meaningful climate action, offering voters a chance for change.
