The Gender Divide in Young Australia's Political Landscape

Young Australians and the Political Divide

Oliver Griffiths, a 20-year-old from Sanctury Point, New South Wales, vividly remembers the moment he became interested in politics. It was 2016, and Donald Trump was on television, "telling everybody what was going wrong." This sparked a passion for politics in Oliver, who now identifies as a conservative and is actively involved in the Liberal Party.

Oliver's story reflects a broader trend among young men in democracies worldwide, who are increasingly drawn to right-wing, populist leaders. This trend has been observed in recent elections in the United States, Germany, Poland, and South Korea.

In Australia, data suggests a similar trend, with Gen Z men (born between 1996 and 2012) more likely to vote for the Coalition compared to their female counterparts. However, overall, Gen Z remains more progressive than previous generations, with only 26% backing the Coalition and 67% supporting either the Greens or Labor.

This election will see hundreds of thousands of young Australians cast their ballot for the first time, and experts say it's difficult to predict which party they'll back. Social media and algorithms are increasingly shaping their political choices, with political parties leveraging digital platforms to reach younger voters.

Oliver and Abbey Dawson, a fellow student and Liberal Club member, illustrate the diverse political views within Gen Z. While they advocate for the same party, they differ on specific issues, such as the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and Donald Trump.

Oliver believes his female friends are more invested in social justice, while Abbey feels her university studies have shifted her views on some issues. This highlights the potential for social media and echo chambers to contribute to political polarization among genders.

As the election approaches, both major parties are actively engaging young voters through new media platforms like podcasts and YouTube. While there are similarities to trends seen in the US, a similar lurch to the right in Australia is far from guaranteed.

The Australian political and social landscape is distinct from those overseas, and young voters remain a politically "volatile" cohort. It remains to be seen how they will respond to the upcoming election and whether it will further accentuate the gender divide.