‘Giddy with joy’: why Gen Z is optimistic about the election results

Young Australians have spoken about the changing face of politics in the country after Saturday’s shock election results.

The results are in and Australia has a brand new Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, alongside a large number of independents that have really shaken up the look of Australian politics. So how are Gen Z feeling about it?

We turned to our Gen Z newsChat panellists — news.com.au’s project with the Judith Nielson Institute — to find out.

Despite things getting a little serious at the polling booths — with a panellist experiencing both verbal abuse from one major party’s representatives, and others noting for the first time that polling officials really took their time to explain how to vote correctly — Gen Z are feeling cautiously optimistic.

Anthony Albanese delivers his victory speech. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The changing face of Aussie politicians

“The representation that we’ve seen has really made me … almost giddy with joy,” shared Jahin.

“On Saturday I was watching the election with my brother and every time we’d see a candidate with a South Asian name or an Asian-Australian name we were like ‘oh my god, there’s actually people representing different communities’.”

“I was shocked, honestly … in a good way,” agreed Nich. “It felt like a lot of people’s voices were being heard.”

Other panellists were hopeful that a more diverse parliament would translate into “spectrum of ideas” when the Government was making decisions for the rest of Australia.

“I think it has the potential to be really, really powerful,” said Rachael. “I’m excited to see how that plays out.”

(L-R) Jim Chalmers, Penny Wong, Anthony Albanese, Richard Marles and Katy Gallagher pose for a photograph outside Government House after being sworn in. Picture: David Gray/Getty Images

Zahra noted that “all six Teal candidates who took safe Liberal seats are women”. Creating a gender diversity that hasn’t really been seen before.

“The diversity of seats not only in parties, but also in gender is absolutely going to be transformative in shaping what Australia looks like over the next couple of years,” she continued. “I’m so excited.”

What they hope this means for Australia

If you’ve been paying attention, it shouldn’t be a surprise to you that the nation appears to have voted with climate change in mind, and that many Gen Z people are hoping politicians will now follow through.

The reason so many people voted was definitely for change in the climate area,” said Nich. “On the international stage we were basically a laughing stock. This [election] is us saying no, we want this now.”

“Climate change is a really big one,” agreed Jasper. “There hasn’t really been much put in [to it] and it’s very evident that it’s only going to become a bigger issue”.

Another big issue Gen Z is hoping to see addressed now there are more female voices being voted in, is gender equality and safety.

“I’m a firm believer that the results of this election were predominantly shaped by Grace Tame and Brittney Higgins,” said Zahra.

'This election [was] predominantly shaped by Grace Tame and Brittney Higgins'. Picture: supplied.

There’s still a long way to go

While there is a lot of excitement that change is beginning, Gen Z are still very aware that there’s a long way to go.

“The work’s only getting started,” Jahin said. “It’s the role of advocates now not to take a step back and say ‘oh we made the change, it’s done’, but to say ‘OK we’ve said all these things, let’s put them into action.”

“I’m just hoping that no one gets left behind,” Nich says, hopefully.

Aged 18 and 24 and want to join the conversation?

Want to share your opinions on being a Gen Z person in the modern world? If you’re between 18 and 24, get in touch with me at [e-mail].