Climate concern the main reason voters swung to independents at federal election, study finds

Climate Compass found 47% of voters who swung independent and 42% of those who swung Labor in 2022 did so primarily due to concern about climate change. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Concern about the climate crisis was the No 1 issue that prompted Australians to switch their vote to an independent candidate at this year’s federal election, according to in-depth social research.

It was the No 2 issue that led to people to swing to Labor, behind concern about the cost of living – including affordable housing.