How young voters will shape the 2025 election
For the first time in Australian history, Generation Z and Millennials will outnumber Baby Boomers at the ballot box in the upcoming Federal Election on 3 May 2025. This generational shift is set to have a profound impact on political engagement and election outcomes.
Younger voters are increasingly moving away from traditional campaign strategies and legacy media, instead turning to social media platforms, alternative news sources, and influencers for political information. As a result, political parties and candidates must rethink how they connect with this dynamic and digitally savvy electorate.
This evolution in information consumption and political participation raises critical questions about the future of Australian democracy, especially in light of recent data showing that Australian school students’ civics knowledge is at its lowest level since 2004. A federal parliamentary report has called for mandatory civics education, expressing concern that young people may not be adequately prepared for democratic participation.
Despite this, research consistently shows that young people are far from disengaged- they are actively involved in civic and political issues, often through non-traditional channels.
There’s also a notable trend emerging from other democracies: young men are increasingly drifting to the right, while young women are moving to the left.
As this new wave of voters, defined by the internet and algorithms, prepares to make its mark, the critical question remains: Who will they throw their support behind?
To explore these issues, the Newcastle Institute is convening an expert panel discussion featuring:
Philippa Collin
Professor Philippa Collin is a Principal Research Fellow at Western Sydney University and Co-Director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre. As a social scientist, her research focuses on the role of digital technology in the social, cultural, and political lives of young people, emphasising implications for health and wellbeing. She collaborates with government, industry, and community partners to conduct impactful, cross-sector research on youth civic engagement.
Ky StewartKy Stewart is a Dharug and Kamilaroi person and Multimedia Reporter at Junkee. Storytelling is at the heart of all Ky does and is what drives them to creating content that stands out. With a keen passion for social justice and a unique ability to keep their finger on the political pulse, Ky has cultivated an audience who are always keen to hear their next take. From climate change, elections, to interviewing politicians, Ky is leading the charge in how Gen Z gets their news and stays informed.
Get Involved: Test Your Civic Engagement Knowledge
Ahead of the event, we invite you to test your civic knowledge and share the survey with family and friends to see how they measure up:
When: Wednesday, 9th April 2025 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Where: Souths Merewether, Llewellyn St Merewether
