‘I’m scared’: Gen Z unload before the federal election

Young Australians have spoken about their frustrations before the federal election, with one saying the country has “failed” them.

The next federal election is just days away, and signs are pointing to this being the first time that younger voters will decide the outcome — but who are they standing behind?

Through disaster debates, and growing issues like climate change and cost of living being almost entirely ignored, it’s no wonder that Gen Z are feeling at a lose as to where they should cast their vote.

We spoke to the Gen Z’s of our newsChat panel —news.com.au’s project with the Judith Nielson Institute — this week to find out where their heads were at.

’I’ve never been more confused in my life’. Picture: supplied.

“Last year there was a lot of ‘I can’t wait for the election’,” said Amaani. “But now we’re here and I’ve never been more confused in my life. I have no idea what I think any more.”

“What I’m noticing is that no one really cares about a politician’s individual personality — all I care about this election is what policies do each party have to offer. What interests me is seeing all the independent candidates. It’s not so simple anymore.”

Angus also tends to change his vote every year, “depending on who's running and what they have a history of supporting”. But he says that he always stick to the main issues that matter to him when deciding.

Other young people are just desperate for change, and feeling anxious about the future.

“This election, I really hope it’s going to be something different. I’m voting for change,” Nich stressed.

“I just want a leader who does what they say they’ll do,” said Rahim. “I’m scared for my future because, even though I do see those amazing and good policies, it’s still sad because I never really see myself on the screen.”

“I never really see myself represented. It makes sense because I’m a minority, and minorities aren’t really catered for,” he continued.

Zahra is also feeling anxious heading into her second federal election, carrying a sense that “Australia has failed me, and many others around me”.

Although she’s feeling hopeful that “the power of the youth vote will be fundamental in shaping what Australia looks like over the next couple of years”.

‘I will be voting for The Greens, with Labor second’. Picture: supplied.

Despite this trepidation, many young people are still feeling confident with their choices, and it’s not looking good for the Liberal Party.

“I really do hope with this election that the Liberals are gone,” shared Nich. “I am so over this government, I’m so over this prime minister. There needs to be change.

“I will be voting for The Greens, with Labor second. I absolutely will be putting the Liberals last.”

“Labor is still an extremely conservative party. The Greens ideals align more with what I believe in — they care so much about the environment. Labor is making strides, but Liberals are just speaking in buzzwords to get votes.”

Rahim will be voting for Labor, but his bottom line is a very simple wish: “I want the best version of Australia that I can get, so as long as the new leader is able to achieve that, I’ll be happy.”

“I want to vote for the Labor Party, I think they’re for the people. My only concern is that every policy they’re putting up, I just hope they live up to those promises,” he continued.

“I’m scared I’ll have to accept another Liberal government. I think everyone is just so tired of Scott Morrison — all of his lies and incompetencies. We just want him out. I just hope whoever is replacing him will be better.”

’I think everyone is just so tired of Scott Morrison’. Picture: supplied.

While there may be confusion around who to vote for, there was no confusion about the types of policies young people want to see addressed.

“As a first generation Australian with migrant and refugee parents, I recognise that the history of Australia hasn’t been inclusive,” explained Zahra.

“This year I’ll be voting for the party that represents the voices and challenges that myself and may other young people are driving change for. Like gender equality, racial discrimination and climate change.”

It’s fair to say climate change is a pressing issue on the minds of Gen Z — every panellist stressed it was one of the biggest issues that would be deciding their vote.

“I know it’s a big buzzword at the moment, but what we saw in the past year — especially with the floods — there’s no doubt climate change had a hand to play,” said Amaani. “[So far] there’s just been a complete failure to pre-empt the magnitude of devastation.”

“I think it’s safe to say if that’s not on your priority list, you need to re-evaluate,” agreed Angus.

“It’s one of the biggest issues we’ve got facing us at the moment and Australia is considerably behind.”

For Nich, it’s even something of a social issue: “I believe in an immediate shift of resources to doing something about climate change. Young people need to be put first.”

Nich also feels that “First Nations people need to be put first” and “Queer people need to not be discriminated against” — both issue they feel the current government has failed to address.

“I want to see money go towards making sure there’s equity, making sure everyone has the rights they deserve to have, that people aren’t being left behind or discriminated against,” Nich said.

’Labor is still an extremely conservative party’. Picture: supplied.

Since the pandemic, the flaws and injustices of Australia’s healthcare system has also been playing on Amaani’s mind.

“The pandemic highlighted and exposed the pitfalls of the Australian healthcare industry and system,” she said. “There are major concerns here we shouldn’t be forgetting.”

Angus also has human rights at the forefront of his voting mind, choosing to pay attention to “anyone who’s interested in welfare reform”.

“Everybody has earned the right to be alive, I don’t think you should have to suffer if you can’t get a job, or whatever,” he said.

“I’ve been very lucky personally, but I know there are too many Australians who rely on Centrelink to support them and don’t have a stable place to live. I don’t think enough politicians are talking about it”.

Overall, while there seems to be a lot of hope for a brighter future, there doesn’t seem to be much belief that it will happen — at least not this election.

“At the end of the day all you can really do is put your vote in, hope for the best, eat a little sausage and then get back to work,” said Rahim.

“I just hope whatever future we have coming up is better than the one we’ve seen. Maybe our future leader can help make sense of it all”.

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].