Generation Next in GWS to Determine Election

Millennial and Gen Z voters will be the dominant voting bloc in key seats in Greater Western Sydney (GWS) for the first time, as the federal election shapes up as a battle to win the hearts and minds of young voters.

Analysis of the latest Australian Electoral Commission voter roll data by leading think-tank, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, shows all 16 electorates in GWS have Gen Z and Millennials making up over 40% of voters in their seats, compared to four electorates in 2022.

An additional 203,536 Millennial and Gen Z voters are enrolled to vote in GWS since the 2022 election, with those under 45 making up more than 50% of voters in six GWS electorates.

In an election where close to one million Gen Z & Millennial voters will cast a ballot in GWS, Dialogue CEO Adam Leto said both major parties need to put forward policies that respond to the needs of younger voters, particularly on issues such as housing affordability.

“Many millennials are struggling to afford to buy a home, while at the same time finding it tough to pay rent – and they’re desperate for a solution,” Mr Leto said.

“The housing policies put forward by both parties recently were a step in the right direction, but I don’t know if it’s enough to convince young voters that our major political parties are fully invested in tackling inter-generational inequality. Younger voters are buckling under the weight of a system tipped in favour of a retiring demographic.”

Mr Leto said the rise of younger voters, combined with a crippling housing and cost-of-living crisis, demanded political bravery.

“Young voters in Western Sydney need bolder policies that signal the government’s intent to help them build wealth like governments did for their parents and grandparents,” Mr Leto said.

“Take the 80s, where major economic and social reform such as Medicare, tax and the Accord agreements fundamentally shifted the dial.

“These are the sort of initiatives and leadership that young voters are looking for to rebalance the scales, which are still weighted in favour of boomers, to improve their lives.”

Mr Leto pointed to new policies – such as cutting HELP debt by 20% and universal childcare – as proposals that will help address cost of living pressures, while also offering younger people more opportunities to work and earn.

“The HELP debt proposal and three days of free childcare are encouraging, but younger voters need more,” Mr Leto said.

“Boomers and Gen X voters grew up with housing that was affordable, benefited from reforms like Medicare, superannuation and a suite of government policies that allowed them to raise families, retire with good incomes and comfortably contribute to the economy.

“Without serious action, the picture isn’t as pretty for younger generations.”