An independent candidate has released her own rap video in a bid to appeal to young voters leading up to the May 3 election.
Candidate for Monash Deb Leonard sparked a divided reaction when she shared the video to TikTok on Wednesday.
‘Try to connect with younger voters they said’, Ms Leonard captioned the post.
The 56 second video started with the politician introducing herself as she walked into her office.
‘Hey it’s ya girl Deb Leonard,’ she rapped before running through the towns represented in the electorate based in Victoria’s Gippsland region.
Donning jeans, T-shirt, white sneakers, a cap worn backwards and headphones, she danced and rapped through her election promises.
Ms Leonard described herself as a mum and fighter who understood the struggle of everyday Australians.
‘The housing crisis hits hard but you know I’ve got the will,’ she rapped.
The rap continues with Ms Leonard taking a swipe at the Albanese government and Peter Dutton’s Coalition as young children dance in the background.
‘Yeah, I know it’s kinda mid to hear this white woman rap, but you know what’s even worse putting up with Canberra’s crap,’ Ms Leonard rapped.
‘2025 we’ve got a chance to make it right, stand up in Fish Creek and Toora let’s fight.
‘From Kilcunda to Inverloch, I’m showing up, we’re blowing up, while Albo sits in silence and Dutton doesn’t give a …’
The clip sparked a divided reaction among Aussies.
‘This might just make me vote,’ one viewer commented.
Another wrote: ‘Too Cool! Bring the vibes to Canberra!’
A third added: ‘love it. Hope you go viral’.
But others slammed the clip as ‘cringe’ and branded Ms Leonard as the ‘Raygun’ of politics.
‘God help us!’ one viewer wrote.
‘Another added: ‘Bit of Raygun cringe vibes.’
Ms Leonard later asked viewers if she should shared the longer version of the clip.
Established in 2019, the seat of Monash is held by independent Russell Broadbent, who is one of the longest-serving current members of federal parliament.
The veteran MP quit the Liberals and moved to the crossbench after losing preselection for his seat in 2023.
He hopes to retain his seat at the May 3 election.
A mother-of-two, Ms Leonard decided to run as a candidate after feeling the two party system was ‘broken’.
‘Major parties are not representing normal people like us, and our regional/rural electorate is vastly ignored by the parties when it comes to federal funding,’ Ms Leonard’s website reads.
‘The opportunity came up to run as an independent and to represent the community.
‘Deb decided that rather than keep yelling at the politicians on TV, she should put her hand up to offer voters a better choice.’
With less than four weeks to go before Aussies head to the polls on May 3, Labor has taken the lead on a two-party basis in the latest Newspoll for The Australian, despite its primary vote staying static at 33 per cent.
While the Coalition remains ahead with 36 per cent of the primary vote despite a one point drop to its lowest level since June 2024, the preference flow to Labor from the Greens and other minor parties has made the government more likely to retain power in its own right.
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