A record number of voters are heading to the polls on 21 May after Australia recorded the biggest single-day enrolment in history on 18 April, described by the electoral commissioner as a “modern-day democratic miracle”.
Some 17.2 million Australians are now enrolled to vote, more than 96% of eligible voters.
But a Plan International report released on Monday 9 May has found three quarters of young women voting for the first time don’t feel politics is an equal space for women and people of colour.
Of more than 1,000 women between 18 and 24 surveyed, 60% didn’t feel parliament had become safer or more equal in the past 12 months, despite multiple reviews into workplace culture. And more than 80% had never aspired to high office.
Guardian Australia spoke to a number of newly enrolled young voters. Here’s what heading to the polls for the first time means to them.
Tai, Brisbane, 20: ‘The Liberal party represents me 0%’
The devastating Queensland floods are at the top of Tai’s mind. Currently studying international relations while working part-time, she sees the rising cost of living and the climate crisis as inextricably linked.
I live in a rental in St Lucia which historically floods. My street flooded, my whole suburb flooded, our unit had a leak and the second bedroom flooded. After two-and-a-half-months we’ve finally got the floor back.
The Liberal party represents me 0%. I want to see action on the climate crisis, not just a vague “net zero by 2050 but maybe not if we can wiggle out of it”. Real action on cost of living, transport, shit everyone has to deal with unless you’re wealthy.
In my area the Greens are the ones I feel most represent me because [when] there was flooding my local Greens member was on my street helping to get food to people. There’s not going to be a party who dot to dot represent everything I want, but they seem to care a little bit and share some of my interests.
The climate crisis is the biggest issue for me, especially given the flooding that happened a couple months ago. Also, better social services like Medicare and Centrelink. I’ve spoken to a lot of people throughout the pandemic really frustrated with how difficult it is to get help.
Getting a rental in general is very hard. Getting things repaired now is like pulling teeth. Politics is front of my mind. A lot of the issues we face are directly linked to politics – public transport, fuel prices being expensive so there aren’t Ubers in my area, finding a house, prices are so high … it’s difficult to save and buy, the way landlords are able to do whatever they want. I see it as directly linked to who’s in power and what their ideals are.
Jay, Shepparton, 18: ‘You don’t need to be part of a party to have a voice’
Jay has already lodged his postal vote. Despite being excited by local politics in his region, he is frustrated by the electoral process.
I think there’s a lot of pride we can take from having an independent [running in my electorate]. I do think there are people in our local government who want to make change and are involved for the right reasons.
I was super keen on politics throughout high school and as I got older I got completely turned off. I was thinking of becoming a politician … but the way politicians have to operate and the sacrifices you have to make on what you believe in to be successful is pretty cutthroat. You don’t need to be part of a party to have a voice.
It is kind of sad when I’m talking to my friends and they say they wouldn’t vote if they didn’t have to because they’re disillusioned. You have these young people that have great ideas but are choosing not to get involved in politics. I want to look on the TV and see someone representing me and young people don’t necessarily have that right now at a national level.
Lily, Hervey Bay, 18: ‘I’m extremely confused and overwhelmed’
Growing up in the Queensland coastal city of Hervey Bay, small business concerns are a key priority in Lily’s region. But trying to navigate the major parties’ electoral policies has made her feel less certain about who to vote for.
I’m supposed to be voting in the upcoming election and honestly feel like I shouldn’t be. I’ve tried researching all the parties and their policies and I’m still extremely confused and overwhelmed … it’s hard to differentiate their policies. I did legal studies through my schooling but even then I feel like you weren’t taught enough about different parties.
[In my region], a lot of people around me are owners of small businesses and have a focus on the policies regarding that, rather than the other policies governments offer. Everyone around me is voting similarly but at the same time I don’t want to follow everyone, I want to follow a party because I know it’s the good decision. I did a bit of research into the environment and emissions and all the policies seemed quite similar. I’ve also just started university so I’d be interested in education policies as well.
I feel like if politicians were displaying their policies on avenues younger people are more connected with – like better explaining on social media in simpler terms – it would assist in me having a more educated vote. I’m honestly still a little unsure [who I’ll vote for], but maybe Liberal at this point in time.
Olivia, Sydney, 19: ‘Australia is in dire need of a shift’
Olivia has lived in Sydney’s beachside suburb Coogee all her life. Currently studying a bachelor of arts law, Olivia is fired up about the election. She says of her friends who aren’t interested in politics, they’re still passionate about one thing – climate change.
How [do] I feel about Australia’s current politicians, particularly the ones in power? I can’t say I’m a fan to put it simply. I think Australia is in dire need of a shift within our political sphere. I’m concerned for Australia’s short- and long-term future if our current politicians stay in power for much longer.
White Australian middle-aged men are overrepresented in parliament. Issues young people are concerned about often get overlooked. Independents will be really interesting to see [in the election] because more than ever a lot of people seem to be unhappy with both Liberal and Labor.
Climate change is a no-brainer [issue] particularly for people my age. My friends that don’t know a lot about politics are passionate about climate change. Other than that, I think policies on healthcare and employment and government support are really big.
The Centrelink process is really difficult, there’s a lot of blockages and it’s hard to access financial support. I have friends who gave up even trying to get Centrelink because it’s too complicated.
And housing – I have a few friends who feel there’s no support in that area and it’s a bit of a grim outlook on the future when you don’t know what’s going to happen. In Sydney, if you’re young, studying or just out of school and it’s your first job there’s not a lot of options.
