She significantly outperformed ACT Labor Party candidates Mary Porter and Wayne Berry in primary votes, though they went on to defeat her after the distribution of preferences.

Hunter achieved a swing of 2.1% towards the Greens, however was unsuccessful in defeating sitting Labor member, Bob McMullan.

[4] The candidature of Hunter and Amanda Bresnan for the House of Representatives was part of an extensive campaign[citation needed] in the ACT to elect Kerrie Tucker and end coalition control[citation needed] of the Australian Senate immediately after the election, as territory Senators take their place at this time as opposed to their state counterparts in the following July.

The ACT holds two seats with only three-year terms, so a larger quota than normal is required for election.

This resulted in the election of Hunter, Bresnan, Shane Rattenbury and Caroline Le Couteur.

Under the agreement, the Greens secured a range of policy outcomes in the areas of schools and education, health service provision, housing, public transport and gay rights.

Prior to the negotiation of the agreement, Hunter was appointed Parliamentary Convenor of the ACT Greens, a role equivalent to that of a Parliamentary Party Leader, and was party spokesperson for the portfolios of Treasury, Community Services, Education, Women and Children and Young People.

[16] She has also been a vocal critic of the Federal Government's intervention in the ACT's same sex civil union reforms.