The Liberal Party of Australia is still trying to figure out where things went wrong after their historic loss in the 2022 federal elections. Perhaps no group has been more aware of this loss than younger voters. Indeed, the party’s two-party-preferred vote has reached an all-time low amongst young women aged 18-34. Millennials, like every other generation before them, would naturally adopt more conservative outlooks as they aged. They have deeply rooted party loyalties suggesting they will not support the Coalition until they are in their 80s.
The impact of this youth vote is magnified by their increasing demographic power. Combined, Gen Z and millennial voters made up 47% of the electorate, outpacing the formerly dominant baby boomer demographic. This kind of seismic shift should be a challenge for any governing Liberal Party. Instead, over recent decades, it has marketed itself as the “party of the aspirational.”
The Liberal Party hired the same social media agency that got Boris Johnson and Scott Morrison elected in 2019. They have faltered badly in their attempts to connect with younger constituents. The party’s proposed solutions aimed at addressing youth concerns, such as a 25% cut in fuel tax and increased access to housing debt, have not resonated as intended.
With electricity prices at record highs, it’s a tough time for the industry. Consequently, the party’s flagship long-term strategy to bring in nuclear energy within 2035 met with disbelief. This fear and an unwillingness to do the necessary self-inventorying has hamstrung the party’s ability to heal in the aftermath of its electoral loss. Those decisions brought the Liberal Party to the crossroads it is now at—its future direction likely resting on some fateful choices made over the next few years.
Australia is already struggling with existential fiscal pressures. Debt will skyrocket from $881.9 billion in 2024-25 to an incredible $1,136.3 billion in 2027-28. Young Australians will continue to pay off this debt long into the future, which many believe carries serious implications for their economic prosperity. Kenzie’s forgotten people. Today the Liberal Party continues to assert that it’s the party of such “Menzies’ forgotten people.” Yet critics say the GOP has missed major opportunities to reach younger voters on major issues, such as immigration.
Young Liberals are more loud and persistent than our detractors, but we are more genuinely concerned for real housing affordability. This issue should be a priority if we really want young people to feel engaged in the future of Australia.
“The only party with a plan to achieve net zero by 2050,” said Peter Dutton, emphasizing the party’s commitment to climate action despite its challenges.
yet we go out of our way to maintain a number of costly, counterproductive policies. This will just balloon the debt and one day it will be on the backs of young people like us, to pay that debt down one day,” commented Dutton.
Young Liberals are becoming more clamorous about their worries. They caution that if the national party continues to ignore the local dynamics, it is likely experience even deeper losses.
If we’re faced with a worse outcome in the next interim election period, what becomes of the Liberal Party then. In its current form, will it even be around by then? questioned Jordan Abouzeid.
Eliza Kingston noted the missed opportunities within the party. “Because there were really excellent candidates for given electorates,” she remarked, highlighting the potential that remains untapped.
Anthony Ma echoed these sentiments, stating that “cost of living was consistently the biggest issue for voters in the campaign. Yet what we saw in the last two months was a sort of meandering.”
The frustrations extend beyond economic policies. Abouzeid commented on the disconnect felt by young people, stating, “Our country has a great history of sheep shearing, but the feeling I got from speaking to young people and particularly young men, is that more so they’re feeling like the sheep and not the shearer.”
Today’s crises require courageous and visionary policy-making. These initiatives must both energize young voters as well as reach beyond this exciting demographic to gain traction. Alex highlighted a deficiency in this area: “There has been a lack of bold policy that has moved towards both appealing young people and parts of the broader populace.”
Meanwhile, Kingston reflected on communication challenges: “I think we just didn’t articulate our arguments for [our policy solutions] sufficiently.” The significance of concise, consistent communication can’t be overstated as the party looks to regain the trust of residents.
The Liberal Party stands at a crossroads. Its power to adapt can create real change. It is the potential to address the pressing economic concerns of younger Australians that will decide its relevance in future elections. Our leaders in party leadership, in the congressional delegation, are really steering through this critical moment. They need to overcome these criticisms from within and perceptions from outside to restore their favorability among a rapidly diversifying electorate.
The Liberal Party stands at a crossroads. Its ability to evolve and address the pressing economic concerns of younger Australians could determine its relevance in future elections. As they navigate this pivotal moment, party leaders must confront both internal criticisms and external perceptions if they hope to reclaim their standing among an increasingly diverse electorate.
