Meet the Australians influencing the 2022 Federal Election on TikTok
From taking the mickey out of ScoMo and Albo’s policy bungles to #auspol explainers, young voters are more engaged than ever. Meet the Australians shaping the election on TikTok.
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It’s the social media platform that has taken the world by storm and it’s fast becoming a political battleground.
TikTok is not short of its controversies, but it’s become a prime source of federal elections content for both Gen Zers and older generations wanting to cut out the extra dribble.
Last week the News Corp explained why politicians and voters had turned to the video-sharing platform which now boasts more than 7.3 million Australian users, mostly aged between 16-25.
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Professor Daniel Angus, digital media researcher from Queensland University of Technology, says platforms like TikTok will play a key role in the election as young people shy away from traditional media.
“There are a number of high-profile TikTok producers who are doing political-related material … it’s maybe not expressly political, but certainly politically-related,” Professor Angus told News Corp.
“We’re talking about a generation that is much more alive (politically). Progressive politics, gender equality and individualism – other platforms might not allow them to express those ideas.
“Youth are going to, like any up-and-coming generation, try and find a voice wherever they can, and they may have felt that their voice couldn’t be heard on existing platforms.”
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Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok has also banned political advertising – meaning parties must rely on organic content to reach their target audience.
As it stands, the Labor Party holds the gauntlet for TikTok success with 77.6k followers, compared to just 2284 on the Liberal Party’s account. The Greens have 17.4k followers.
While some users are informative and to the point, others – in true Aussie fashion – take the mickey out of our prospective leaders.
See the TikTokers tackling the big election issues and the others leaving us in stitches:
AUSPOL EXPLAINED
Handle: @auspolexplained
Followers: 5k
Explainers have become a key a go to TikTok for a lot of topics that frankly people don’t have time divulging into anymore.
From car repairs to Met Gala outfits, you name it, there’s an explainer.
Youtuber turned TikToker David has done exactly that by opening up his comments and DM’s to ensure those who can vote know what they are voting for.
ALEX DYSON
Handle:@aedyson
Followers: 13.5k
In Victoria, Wannon’s independent candidate Alex Dyson has quickly racked up popularity on the social media site with the help of Australian TikTok royalty Millie Ford.
One TikTok, captioned “Automatically voting like your parents is a CRIME”, has hit more than 450k views.
The former Triple J breakfast host’s videos are stamped with the traditional “authorised by” disclaimer at the end.
MATES RATES
Handle: @mates.rates
Followers: 30.4k
He’s made some questionable statements on the election campaign trail while showing off some questionable curry, but then ScoMo never fails to amuse us.
And he’s become a muse for TikTok account Mates Rates who has taken a stab at what our current Prime Minister would have been like in school.
TAMARA VS THE VOID
Handle: @tamaravsthevoid
Followers: 35.3k
Climate activist and former political candidate Tamara is another TikToker taking to the social media platform with her take on #auspol for dummies.
In a three part explainer on Australia’s preferential voting system she breaks down why she believes a vote for a major party is a wasted vote.
Clapping back at commenters her follow up video declaring “we cannot afford for the Liberal Party to win the upcoming federal election” has racked up almost 150k view.
GEN UNITED
Handle: @genunited
Followers: 16.8k
The term ‘cooked’ is ingrained in Aussie culture but to those outside of the county it can become very confusing.
Just as confusing as former Prime Minister John Howard saying the country was not facing a housing crisis.
In a minute-long Tik Tok Gen United whose bio read “bye Scotty” runs through of all the ‘cooked sh*t’ that has happened in this weeks election campaign.
But above all else they are encouraging the younger generation and first time voters to get out there and vote.
THE JUICE MEDIA
Handle: @thejuicemedia
Followers: 95.4k
Election ads have been flooding our screens for the last month and the long standing Department of Genuine Satire has added some comedy to the mix.
The Juice Media is known for its tongue in cheek takes on government advertising and its most recent creation is an honest two part ad highlighting this country’s wins and loses in a satire format.
But it’s what we are all thinking.
TWO BROKE CHICKS
Handle: @twobrokechicks_
Followers: 41.1k
Debunking the whole “my vote doesn’t count if it’s not a major party” thought process, these Aussie chicks are talking people through the election process.
Podcasters Two Broke Chicks take taken their explainers to TikTok breaking down what preferential voting is and how those little pieces of paper we are handed in the booths can actually make a big difference.
AUSTRALIAN YOUNG GREENS
Handle: @australianyounggreens
Followers: 13.3k
This account is exactly what it says on the box and along side it’s big sibling account (@australiangreens) the party has amassed more than 30k followers on the platform.
The verified Greens account highlight their policies, clearing up myths about these “bloody lefties” to using dating sites to promote their campaign.
If you hate laughing and hate saving the planet then it’s best to stay away.
Belinduh Pyne
Handle: @belinduhpyne
Followers: 26.5k
She’s a self dubbed “Adelaide Labor Girl” and “C.Pyne’s #1 Fan” but Belinduh Pyne aka Belinda Davey’s mission is letting people know politics can be fun.
The moniker is an homage to her favourite politician and she quickly found social media fame in the lead-up to South Australia’s recent election predominantly sharing memes about the state and federal Liberal party.
GEN Z FOR ALBO
Handle: @genzforalbo
Followers: 45.4k
An absolute zinger of an account for any anti-Liberal voter.
While many politicians are caught out or backtracking from previous arguments, Gen Z for Albo has found a golden nugget by the Prime Minister and all we can do is laugh.
Have we missed your favourite election TikTok account? Let us know in the comments!
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