As the countdown begins for the upcoming Australian federal election, first-time voters are expressing their concerns about pressing issues like the cost of living, climate action, and student debt, alongside growing worries about the rising influence of far-right ideologies.
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The 2025 election presents a unique opportunity for younger generations, as millennials and Generation Z now outnumber baby boomers. This demographic shift has the potential to significantly reshape Australia’s political landscape.
Approximately 18 million Australians are expected to cast their votes, with 43% belonging to the millennial and Gen Z categories, contrasting with the 33% representation of baby boomers, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission.
Among these younger voters is a burgeoning Irish diaspora, adding to the diverse perspectives shaping this election cycle.
Many first-time voters express disillusionment with the traditional two-party system, struggling to find a compelling reason to support either the Labor or Liberal Coalition parties. “I think [Liberal Party leader] Peter Dutton would be worse, but I see no positive case for the Labor Party either,” remarked Jasmine Al-Rawi, a 22-year-old architecture student who recently acquired citizenship after moving from New Zealand.
While there is speculation that Generation Z could sway the election results leftward, 18-year-old political student Ava Cavalerie Johnson cautions against painting her cohort with a broad brush. “I don’t believe it’s accurate to say that the entire Gen Z population is leaning left,” she stated. “Yes, there may be a larger shift to the left, but many conservative beliefs still exist within our ranks.”
A 2022 report from the Australian Election Study group indicated a significant trend among millennials and Generation Z voters moving away from the major parties, noting that “at no time in the 35-year history of the AES has there been such a low level of support for either major party in such a large segment.”
Yet, 18-year-old arts and science student Darcy Palmer raises an important concern about understanding Australia’s unique preferential voting system. He observes, “Many young people may cast their vote for Labor simply to prevent Dutton from winning, rather than supporting their true preferences, such as independent candidates or the Greens.”
The recent U.S. election results loom large in the minds of young Australian voters, many of whom fear a similar rightward shift could occur domestically. “I’m viewing this election primarily as a means to avoid the circumstances unfolding in the U.S.,” said Jessica Louise Smith, a 19-year-old arts student. “My focus has turned away from genuine Australian politics toward simply preventing the worst possible outcome.”
The Australian general election is scheduled for May 3, and its outcome remains uncertain as younger voters rally around their priorities and concerns.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
