2 weeks Ago By Anna Houlahan
Belinda Gread played the part of a candidate so well that the Australian Electoral Commission told her to stop. or signup to continue reading The AEC said her satirical election signs, catchy songs and popular social media account could "potentially mislead or deceive electors" Gread pounded the pavement in Melbourne's inner north, sporting a silky blue blouse and voluminous blonde bob, preaching a message of "nuclear power and nuclear families". While many Australians may be unaware of Gread, her online antics have been a hit on social media with younger generations.
Her music video, , condemned dole-bludgers, the National Broadband Network and "being mean to Gina [Rinehart]". But voters won't find her on the ballot at the . She didn't submit the paperwork.
She blames a mix-up similar to the one that caused to miss the council election nomination deadline in 2024. "Look for my name on the ballot paper; if it's not there that's no fault of mine," the sharp-tongued political influencer said in an exclusive interview. "Perhaps if these people stopped working from home so someone could keep an eye on them, these things wouldn't get lost in the system," she said.
The truth is that Gread has never been a member of the Liberal Party. This masthead has obtained the official letter from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) insisting that she end her campaign. The penalties for misleading voters, if she claims to be a Liberal Party member near a polling station, include up to three years in prison or a $33,000 fine.
So, faced with an impossible choice, Gread has decided to maintain her presence in the campaign as an independent candidate. "I am truly apologetic that some people have tried to smear my reputation," she said. "I may have created a song and music video without prior approval, and it seems like some people had an issue with that," she said.
"Let's stop focusing on this woke nonsense and move on to what is important." Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine.
Reach out with news or updates to [email protected].
au Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.
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