Street polling of locals in the Melbourne CBD reveals widespread political apathy and trust issues ahead of the federal election.

University of Melbourne student reporters found some residents struggling with immediate concerns including how to pay the bills, but also how to trust the government.

A new report from Monash University’s Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice (CYPEP) shows that as Australia enters a new electoral era, Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennial (born 1981-1996) voters hold more voting power than ever before, outnumbering Baby Boomers (born 1946-1965).

This demographic shift could play a significant role in shaping the election outcome.

Gabriela ‘Gabby’ Barrera Gaviria, a single mother who has lived in Melbourne for eight years, said she rarely followed political news because it felt disconnected from everyday struggles.

“I don’t have time for politics — right now I’m trying to get everything for my kids,” she said.

Ms Gaviria’s situation is not unique. According to the 2024 Scanlon Social Cohesion Report (SSC), 41% of Australians describe themselves as “poor,” “struggling to pay bills,” or “just getting along” financially, while 40% of adults are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their finances — one of the highest levels recorded since the survey began.

As a Millennial, Ms Gaviria still struggles with her rent. It is almost $490 per week.

“It’s hard because everything is too expensive, especially for a single mum,” she said.

While cost-of-living pressures dominate Millennial concerns, Gen Z voters also seem skeptical about whether any party can bring meaningful change.

Luca Knezevic, a 21-year-old university student who lives in Caulfield, supported the Greens in his first election in 2022 but has since reconsidered his stance.

“When I was 18, I voted for the Greens because they claimed the environment was their top priority,” he said. “But now, they seem to focus more on foreign affairs like Gaza than the environment.”

The failure of political parties to fulfill their promises may have gradually eroded the faith of the younger generation.

While Mr Knezevic now votes for Labor, he said he was still uncertain whether any party would bring about real change.

“Liberal has done nothing for us over the past decade, but Labor seems more sincere than Liberal,” he said.

This uncertainty reflects a broader crisis of political trust among younger Australians.

Research from Griffith University has found that trust in political parties among this age group remains low, with only 21.5% believing their vote can make a difference. Additionally, 16.6% see voting as a duty, and just 3.5% report genuine interest in politics.

The growing political disengagement among younger voters may indicate broad pessimism about Australia’s future.

“I actually don’t care who wins the election, the main social issues are relatively the same,” Mr Knezevic said.

He mentioned that some of his friends voted for the Greens simply because some political party members reportedly played Fortnite, an online multiplayer game.

However, some voters’ disillusionment with major parties does not mean that young voters have altogether lost faith in politics. Some indicated they had found a new path.

Alyssa Colwell, 26, from the inner-city Kooyong electorate, works in a bakery and typically places major parties last when voting. She described major party campaigns as “schoolyard bullying” while, she said, independents seemed more accountable.

“I want my voice to actually matter, not just be a number in a mass,” Ms Colwell said. “That’s why I find it easier to trust one person than a whole party.”

This shift towards independents reflects an electoral trend. According to a 2024 report by The Australia Institute, the 2022 federal election saw the lowest combined vote for the two major parties since the Great Depression and delivered the largest-ever crossbench in the House of Representatives.

The report also found that 41% of the seats won by independents or minor parties had previously been considered “safe” for major parties, signaling a broader erosion of traditional party loyalty.

For many young Australians, voting for independents is not just a choice but a response to disappointment, a way to reject empty promises of major parties.

“Major parties made a lot of promises, and never do it (so) I prefer not just empty promises but real letters, clear priorities, and showing up in person,” Ms Colwell said.

She said she believed independents were changing elections by pressuring major parties.

“They’re losing number one votes, so they have to listen to the people they’re ignoring.

“We’re seeing real changes.”