Young activists are celebrating the win of a re-elected Labor government at the 2025 federal election in May.
Prior to the election, 19-year-old Rising Tide activist and Queer Caucus leader Ivy Lane confronted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese over his handling of climate change at a media conference at Maitland Hospital.
Despite challenging the Prime Minister, Ivy says she is content that Anthony Albanese was re-elected, as the alternative candidate, then Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, didn’t represent her political standpoint.
“This actually gives him a really good opportunity. He’s made a lot of promises coming into his seat as PM once again, and this is a great opportunity for him to show the Australian people that he listens to them and will follow through,” Ivy says.
“Because I’m one of the organisers and facilitators of [The Rising Tide] Queer Caucus, my values coming into the election were definitely focused on queer people. I was looking for candidates that weren’t afraid to put legislation forward that protects trans youth.”
The youth demographic wake-up call
Data now demonstrates that Australia’s primary voting bloc has shifted from the previous demographic majority, Baby Boomers, to Gen Z and Millennials in this Federal election.
The under-44 demographic bloc now makes up over 47 percent of voters.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has noted that the younger populace now equates to 7.8 million participants, compared to the second largest electorate of 5.8 million Boomers.
Following data from a recent Monash University report by the Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice (CYPEP), young voters are most concerned about inequality, discrimination, the housing crisis, physical/mental health, financing, and employment when voting.
With this change in the current political cycle, Ivy said that many political parties had adapted by implementing niche campaign strategies.
“We have TikTok now, we have social media like Instagram and Facebook. All of those things have played a really big part in the campaigning for this election…we saw one of the Greens candidates [Stephen Bates] had an OnlyFans,” said Ivy.
“I think Gen Y and Gen Z are more inclined to vote towards The Greens, Independent, and Labor. I think our generation is at a bit of a turning point. We’ve seen the past…”
The age range of the electorate is predicted to incur different policy and political pressures, as the majority of voters are now under 44.
Following the first preference voting results, the independent and minor parties reported higher support than the Liberal/National Coalition for the first time historically, consistent with the increasing trend in independent voting.
At a national level, the overall primary vote concluded that 35% voted for Labor, 34% for independent and minority parties, and a low of 32% for the Coalition.
The Greens – the people’s party
The left-wing political federation, The Greens, reported its highest vote, at 1.9 million votes.
However, despite obtaining 12.2% of all votes, the party lost three House of Representatives seats.
After the former Greens Leader, Adam Bandt, lost his Melbourne seat, Senator Larissa Waters has filled his position as the fifth leader of the Greens party.
Active Newcastle Greens party volunteer and social media coordinator El Rose agrees that the growth of youth engagement is pushing our governments to consider the future impact of political policies.
“We are pushing for climate action, trans rights, housing justice, and so much more because we are inheriting the consequences of decisions that have been made for the past hundred years, and that are still being made now,” El said.
“We’re not waiting for permission to lead – we are organising, striking, protesting, running for office, and creating community-based solutions. We are demanding system change, not just surface-level reforms.”
“We have secured the biggest national vote in our history, which is an incredible win. The Greens will hold the sole balance of power in the Senate with 11 senators elected. In both Newcastle and Shortland, where I worked, we received a positive swing, and in Newcastle, we overtook the Liberals for the first time ever.”
What does this mean for young people?
When considering the political impact on the younger generation, Ivy Lane says that it is equally as important to consider the people who aren’t old enough to vote.
“I think it’s important to note that people who aren’t old enough to vote have been trying to have their voices desperately heard this election,” said Ivy.
“It’s always important that we do consider future generations, that is at the heart of our votes.”
