With the federal election set for May 3, the campaign trail includes a strong line-up of candidates with Greek roots, many of whom are contesting seats for minor parties or running as independents.
Perhaps the most notable surprise among the independents is AFL legend Anthony Koutoufides, who has officially declared his candidacy for the seat of Melbourne.
Having unsuccessfully run for Lord Mayor of Melbourne last year, Koutoufides had hinted at a future in politics.
“That was definitely my first taste of politics, but it won’t be my last,” he said after the mayoral campaign.
“It’s something I really loved during the campaign period… and now I have the experience.”
In mid-January, speculation about his federal candidacy began circulating, and this has now been confirmed in the official candidate list released by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
The full list also reveals other names with Greek heritage – identified mostly by surname – who will be contesting seats in the House of Representatives and Senate.
While not all carry Greek-sounding names, several have known Greek lineage or close ties to the Hellenic community.
Greek-Australian candidates for the House of Representatives (by surname):
- Ali Antoniou, running in McEwen (VIC) for Gerard Rennick’s People First party
- Sakellarios Bairamis, running in Lingiari (NT) for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
- Phillip Courtis, running in Casey (VIC) for the Trumpet of Patriots party
- Fiona Douskou, contesting Barton (NSW) for the Liberal Party
- Steve Georganas, Labor MP for Adelaide (SA), seeking re-election
- Harry Hatzikalimnios, contesting McPherson (QLD) for People First
- Alex Hawke, Liberal MP for Mitchell (NSW), seeking re-election – his mother was born in Chortiatis, Greece
- Matthew Katselis, running in Hawke (VIC) for One Nation
- Steve Kefalinos, running in Tangney (WA) for One Nation
- John Koukoulis, contesting Watson (NSW) for Trumpet of Patriots
- Anthony Koutoufides, contesting Melbourne (VIC) as an Independent
- Gianni Del Rosario-Makridis, running in Calwell (VIC) for Legalise Cannabis Australia
- Michael McCormack, Nationals MP for Riverina (NSW), seeking re-election – his maternal grandfather George Margossis was born in Akrata, Greece, in 1896
- Tony Margos, contesting Fowler (NSW) for One Nation
- Christos Nicolis, contesting Barton (NSW) for One Nation
- Amanda Paliouras, running in Menzies (VIC) for Trumpet of Patriots
- Thomas Pambris, running in Barton (NSW) for Trumpet of Patriots
- John Photakis, contesting Kingston (SA) for the Greens
- Arthur Tsoutsoulis, running in Scullin (VIC) for One Nation
Greek-Australian Senate candidates:
- Steve Christou, contesting in NSW for the Libertarian Party
- Nick Clonaridis, running in VIC for HEART (Health, Environment, Accountability, Rights, Transparency)
- Ethan Constantinou, contesting in VIC for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party
- Kosta Hadjimarkou, contesting in SA as an Independent
- Michael Anagno (Anagnostopoulos), contesting in SA with the Animal Justice Party
Numbers and party breakdown
According to Tallyroom.com.au, a total of 1,126 candidates are running for the House of Representatives in 2025, the third-highest in Australia’s federal election history. While this is down from the record 1,203 candidates in 2022, it still reflects strong democratic engagement.
- Labor and the Greens have candidates in all 150 seats
- One Nation is contesting 147 seats, skipping only the three ACT electorates
- The newly rebranded Trumpet of Patriots (formerly Federation Party) is fielding 100 candidates, down from the 151 United Australia Party candidates in 2022
- The Libertarians have 46 candidates (down from 100)
- Legalise Cannabis is contesting 42 seats, a major jump from just one in 2022
- Animal Justice Party has dropped to 18 candidates, from 47 in 2022
Meanwhile, the number of independent candidates has surged to 132, up from 98 in 2022.
The largest ballots are found in:
- Calwell and Riverina with 13 candidates each
- McPherson with 12
- Cowper and Page with 11 each
At the other end, only four candidates are running in Bean, Fenner, Perth, and Maribyrnong. A notable change from 2022, when no electorate had fewer than five candidates.
Labor, the Greens, and Sustainable Australia are fielding full Senate tickets across all states and territories.
The Liberal-National Coalition is running joint Senate tickets in NSW, VIC, QLD, and NT. However, the Liberals are contesting alone in TAS and the ACT, while the Nationals have separate tickets in SA and WA.
Six smaller parties are also running full Senate tickets across the states:
- Legalise Cannabis
- Libertarians
- Citizens Party
- One Nation
- Trumpet of Patriots
- Animal Justice
The total number of registered parties contesting the House and Senate has decreased from 34 and 37 in 2022 to 25 and 28, respectively.
Record number of enrolled voters ahead of Federal Election
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has announced that a record 98.2 per cent of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote in the upcoming federal election, representing 18,098,797 people.
This marks an increase of 870,000 voters—or 5 per cent—since the 2022 election.
“This is the third consecutive federal event where we’ve achieved a record national enrolment rate in Australia,” AEC Commissioner Jeff Pope said.
“These records don’t happen by chance. They reflect a huge volume of work by the AEC to engage with voters and reduce barriers to enrolment, as well as a fantastic effort by eligible Australians to get on the roll.”
“We’re particularly focused on the enrolment rate of young Australians, and I’m pleased to report that it is now a very healthy 92 per cent. Well done, Australia.”
Save the dates
Key dates leading up to the election include the start of early voting on Tuesday April 22, and the deadline to apply for a postal vote, which is 6pm on Wednesday April 30.
Election Day itself falls on Saturday May 3.
If you know of any other candidates of Greek heritage—or are aware that any of the names previously mentioned do not have Greek roots—please contact Neos Kosmos at: editor@neoskosmos.com.au.
