Thu Apr 14

What will young Australians do with their vote – are we about to see a 'youthquake'?

Written by Intifar Chowdhury, Associate lecturer, Australian National University

There have been suggestions Australia could see a “youthquake ^[1]” at the upcoming May 21 election.

Spurred on by their suffering during COVID and anger about economic inequality, environmental inaction and toxicity in federal parliament, young people may flock to the polls.

But there is also a real risk they will do the opposite.

How many young people are enrolled?

As of March 2022, more than 1.6 million 18-to-24 year-olds were enrolled. According to the Australian Electoral Commission ^[2], this is 85.4% of the group, which is slightly higher than the national target of 85% and similar to the 85.8% rate in March 2019.

This hopeful trend bolsters my recent research ^[3] suggesting young Australians care as much about politics as their older counterparts. In the same study, I show short-term political, economic and social circumstances best explain electoral behaviours among Australian voters.

This means the pandemic, among other generation-defining events ^[4] such as the 2019-20 bushfires and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will likely influence the youth vote.

What do young Australians care about?

The 2019 Australian Election Study ^[6] found 66% of all voters surveyed cast their ballot based on key policy issues - the most important was the economy, followed by health and medicare.

But there was considerable difference in what concerned younger voters. Half of 18-to-24-year-old voters surveyed identified an environmental issue as their top consideration in the 2019 election. Among economic issues, they were particularly concerned about property prices.

In 2022, these issues will continue to be front-of-mind for young people.

Under 30s, who work in hospitality and other casual jobs, have borne the brunt of pandemic job uncertainty. They are likely to stumble out of the pandemic with shrinking incomes, mounting HECS debt and alarming rates of underemployment ^[7].

Two young baristas making coffee in a cafe

Young Australians have borne the brunt of pandemic-related economic costs, including shrinking wages and job insecurity. James Ross/AAP

On top of this, they are facing increasing living costs ^[8] and a housing affordability crisis ^[9].

Young people were at the back of the queue for COVID vaccines and have reported a spike ^[10] in mental health issues as a result of lockdowns and pandemic-related isolation and stress.

Environment and equality

Social and environmental issues are also likely to factor into young people’s votes.

Young women such as Chanel Contos, Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame have lead the national conversation about the treatment of women and consent over the past 12 months. We know there is significant community anger about the treatment of women – as seen by the thousands who have turned out to march to demand gender equality.

Continuous mistreatment of women in federal politics is not good news for either major party. Understandably, young Australian women are unimpressed ^[11] by the handling of women’s safety: so it won’t be surprising if they abandon both the major parties at the poll.

Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins preparing to speak at the National Press Club in Canberra

Young advocates like Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins have led discussions about sexual abuse and assault over the past year. Lukas Coch/AAP

We also know young people care deeply about climate change and are very cynical ^[12] about the major parties’ ability to deliver meaningful action.

This presents a real opportunity for the Australian Greens and their climate policies ^[13]. The long-term voting patterns ^[14] of voters aged 18 to 34 show although Labor attracts more young people than the Liberals, both major parties have been losing their youth vote to the Greens over the past few decades.

In fact, the 2019 election exhibited the lowest Liberal party vote on record for this age group (23%) and the highest on record for the Greens (28%). The ALP received 37%.

Young Australians at the polls…or not?

In a recent analysis ^[16], I suggest the cocktail of pandemic-related stresses is forging a generation of more financially aware, politically engaged, and resilient young people.

However, growing distrust of politicians may stand in the way.

In Australia, young people largely blame their growing wariness of government leaders ^[17] on factors like poor performance. In 2004, an electoral commission study ^[18] found that first-time voters thought of politicians as promise-breakers who are not interested in young people and behave badly in parliament. This has not changed. In fact, the entire electorate’s confidence in the moral integrity of politicians reached its lowest level ^[19] last year, dropping by nearly 20% since 2007.

A group of young protesters advocating for systemic political change

Young Australians have become increasingly vocal issues like climate change and the treatment of women. Darren Pateman/AAP

Compulsory voting might tie young citizens to the Australian political system, but this significant decline in trust ^[20], together with a pandemic fatigue, might make them less enthused ^[21] about casting their vote.

Historically, defying international trends, young Australians have been as diligent as older Australians about turning up on election day. But the 2022 election will test this.

Although not part of a significant trend, inner-city electorates did see a drop in youth vote ^[22] in 2019, reminding us that issues of the time can sway some young people away from the polls.

Either way, more than ever, the youth vote will be crucial for the upcoming federal election.