Bates studied at the University of Queensland (UQ),originally for a Bachelor of International Hotel and Tourism Management. While studying,he went to the United States to pursue a work opportunity. Bates has stated that his experience in the United States is what convinced him to enter politics,specifically his encountering of a coworker crying over whether to buy insulin or pay her rent.[6]
When Bates moved back to Australia he changed his degree to a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in social and public policy,and graduated under that degree.[6][2] Prior to being elected,Bates was a retail employee[2] and a member of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union.[7][8]
In the 2025 Australian federal election,Bates lost his seat after suffering a −1.36% swing against him in the primary vote,causing him to be excluded from the two-candidate preferred count. The Labor candidate Madonna Jarrett notably received a +4.90% swing towards her.
Personal life
Bates is openly gay[11] and joined the Greens on the night of the 2019 Federal election. He graduated UQ with a Bachelor of Social Science with a major in social and public policy.[12]
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