The Zetland Zohran?

Over in the US, New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is upending the norms of politics by…doing things. 

His record of success and social media omnipresence has sparked calls to find the Australian equivalent. Alas, it’s pretty slim pickings. 

We do, of course, have a populist that appears to be everywhere, but Pauline Hanson’s record of doing absolutely nothing and being the diametric opposite of cool isn’t exactly comparable. 

Political commentator, Rachel Withers, attempted to answer this question by comparing the key policies of Mamdani with those of the major parties. But this overlooks what makes Mamdani different - namely a marrying of left wing populist policy with highly engaging, grassroots and online activism. 

The closest Australia’s come in recent times was arguably either the rise of the Teals (and for all Allegra Spender’s many qualities, Mamdani comparisons would be a stretch) or the Adam Bandt(er) years (and we all know how that ended). 

Zack Polanski, the UK Greens leader, recently told his Australian colleagues to ‘connect with anger’ to mount a challenge, and new research indicates there may soon be plenty to connect with. 

The University of Sydney Business School has created Australia’s first AI Exposure Index for all 150 federal electorates, and unsurprisingly found the 30 most exposed electorates were all metropolitan, and among the youngest, most educated, highest-earning, most culturally diverse and most mortgage-stressed places in the country.

While One Nation has often found traction in the parts of the country globalisation forgot, it may be that inner city sanctums of social progression are about to experience a similar economic upheaval, with the anger and rebellion that comes with it.

Whether Australia’s Mamdani comes from local government, the perennially online commentariat, or one of the major parties, they’ll have plenty to work with.