Forget kissing babies, this Australian politician is campaigning on Tinder

An independent politician in Australia has taken to mobile dating app Tinder to try and drum up votes foor her campaign.

Saraya Beric, who is running for a seat in the Queensland Parliament, revealed on her Facebook page that she needed to think differently to match cash-rich opponents. "As an independent candidate, I don't have the big funds that the political parties have and so I've used social media and now dating app Tinder to help get my message out," Beric wrote.

The 33-year-old is contesting the Mermaid Beach seat and says she has had fun promoting on Tinder. "Hey... at least I can never be accused of not thinking outside the box. Maybe that's exactly what we need in Parliament. I've got a few 'yes swipes' too and even a super like."

In one of her Tinder photos she pokes fun at Mermaid Beach incumbent Ray Stevens, saying "this is who you are currently in a relationship with". She even photoshops herself onto dating show The Bachelorette and says "please consider giving me your vote this election because if my campaign fails... I might have to go on the Bachelorette for me next publicity stunt."

Beric was involved with the One Nation party – which is headed by right-wing Dancing with the Stars alum Pauline Hanson – before falling out with the leader in October 2016. Beric was accused of leaking information about the party in May, but denied the claims.

Hanson has openly criticised burqas in Australia and described them as a security risk. Earlier this year, she arrived at question time wearing a burqa to try and show it was dangerous. But her stunt backfired and she was widely condemned. Attorney-General George Brandis outright rejected her request to ban people wearing burqas.

"Senator Hanson, no, we will not be banning the burqa," he said, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm not going to pretend to ignore the stunt that you have tried to pull today by arriving in the chamber dressed in burqa when we all know you are not an adherent to the Islamic faith."