Generation Y: Hopeless and voteless?

BY CYNDALL MCINERNEY

What is really in this election for young people? Since the horrifying and hard-hitting article by the Daily Life “There’s nothing in this election for young people” published a few days ago, I have been struggling with the concept of growing up. This is a big call for me, having lived most of my young life with starry-eyed naivety and hopefulness. Despite the fact that some things have changed (I now know the moon isn’t made of cheese so there’s little point in being an astronaut anymore), until recently, I was still hopeful for my future in Australia.

After recent discussions about the upcoming election with friends and family, reading articles, listening to interviews and watching debates on TV, I have realised that this election is sadly not about youth. To some degree I understand this due to the ‘coffin shaped’ population graph of Australia that makes our baby boomers the largest segment of the voting population. Yet, when one looks to statistics, Australia’s young voters still make up 30% of the electoral. Despite the obvious need to appease baby boomers, it is still disheartening to think that through dismal displays of ‘iron man’ activity on TV or overzealous posting of instagram ‘selfies’, our leaders believe that they have sufficiently tapped into Generation Y.

K-Rudd loves a good selfie.

I used to know where I stood on Australia’s political spectrum. My issue this election has no longer become who I believe is a better party. This article will definitely not attempt to persuade you as to who is the more ideal party. However, the policies of the major parties blur so much now that according to Vote Compass, I am as far left and equally as far right as one can get on the spectrum. After talking to many people from Generation Y, I realised that I am not alone in this worrying position (except for those voting for the sex party “because LOL it’s all about sex and stuff”). This poses the important question of whether our politicians have seriously, thoroughly contemplated the young adults of Australia this election.

Interestingly, the AYAC have reported that the four most important issues to twenty-something’s this election are: housing, employment rates, education and marriage equality. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the three major parties need to appease the following needs of baby boomers: economic management, education, “boat people” (cue horror music), taxes and carbon pricing, gender (sexism, not marriage equality) and industrial relations. Obviously, neither of these lists are exhaustive. Nevertheless, from the policies already asserted by the three major parties, it appears that the latter group of issues have been the central focus of debates.

Western Sydney resembles new areas of unstable seats in Sydney that were once secured by Labor. Accordingly, Labor and Liberal leaders have spent the last week arguing who was the most charitable ie. who has visited Western Sydney the most. Whilst there is merit to this tactic, meanwhile, 1.4 million young Australians are left to their own devises to decide who to vote for. Whilst Facebook pages attempt to superficially engage with youth, they only furthermore prove the lack of education and engagement with youth surrounding the tumultuous campaign trail thus far. For example, the ‘Vote Liberal’ Facebook page depicts youths hold up whiteboards stating why they are voting for Abbott. One young man claims Abbott wins his vote because “he can do a pull up”. I’m not sure whether this demonstrates that there will always be a segment of every group in society that is unreachable, or how youth have been neglected to be educated in this election. I would say that both are likely summations.

According to the Daily Life’s article, most jobs for graduates are on the decline or unreliably fluctuating in their potential opportunity. Those areas that are not affected by these issues significantly (law and medicine) are now so overly competitive that industries are reporting record highs of depression and suicide. Student loans, rent and the cost of living places Sydney as the second most expensive city in the world. Therefore, when Generation Y can actually afford to buy property, they are forced to buy cheap houses and rent them out at a loss for years before they can reap the rewards. But hey, if we ever finally secure a job and pay off all our debts and student loans, at least we have both parties fighting over improved paternity and maternity leave. Somewhere in there we can save for a wedding if we are afforded the financial situation (or sexual orientation) to do so… Everything’s coming up Milhouse.

So really, it’s no wonder that a large portion of Generation Y have reported that they have no idea who they will vote for. If you are one of the few youths who have found a party that supports the majority of your political views, kudos to you. Seriously. But for the statistical majority of Generation Y, the issue has almost stopped becoming ‘Who do I vote for?’, and turned into ‘Does anyone really care who I vote for?’

Cyndall McInerney is a law and advertising student from Sydney who aspires to be a copywriter, one of the many fields that has limited job opportunities. So please charitably follow her tea blog and her twitter!

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