
The 2019 electoral roll is Australia’s most complete. Ever. A record 96.8 per cent of voting-age Aussies are registered to cast their vote in the upcoming Federal election.
But of those 16,424,248 people, there’s one demographic that looks likely to be key in deciding the outcome: Millennial women.
As well as being one half of the country’s biggest population group, they’re also among the most undecided. Just last week, a Roy Morgan poll indicated that 38 per cent of Australians aged 25-34 years old were yet to make up their mind, and 44 per cent said no party is addressing the issues that matter to them.
With just weeks to go, we asked 97 women in this pivotal group how they will go about deciding who gets their vote on May 18. Will they cast their ballot based on personalities or policy? Are they meticulous researchers, or will they rely on the opinions of friends and family?
These are a selection of their responses.
C, age 22. WA
“Climate change policy has been a big issue for me this election. I have been looking at the major parties’ positions on climate change and other environmental issues. I also use resources such as [ABC’s] Vote Compass and ISideWith to see who aligns to my ideologies.”
A, age 24. NSW
“To be honest, I vote for whoever my partner tells me to, mainly because I don’t know what to do. But I’m happy to do it this way, because we both have the same values in what we want.”
G, age 29. QLD
“Historically, I have taken my political ‘side’ from the views of my parents. However, as I’ve gotten older, I have started to form my own opinions and perspectives. My vote will be based on what policies align with my ethics, personal beliefs and what will be best for my personal situation. As a mother working part-time with a husband on wages, and someone who believes in universal health care and quality education, I think this election is a no brainer.”