Young people aren't sick of politics. Well, maybe some are, but most are just sick of inaction.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Have a conversation with an 18- to 24 year-old and you'll hear that they want change.
They're just unsure of who can give it.
And when politicians can't seem to keep a promise or even hold their job for a full term, how can you blame them?
Climate change is arguably the most important issue impacting the way young people vote in this election.
But even with that as a clear priority, it's just not that simple.
Labor is evidently aiming higher when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing renewables.
The Liberals are approaching this more conservatively but they're still taking action.
The Greens, they're offering 100 percent renewable energy by the year 2030.
Even as an optimistic young person, that last one just seems unrealistic, especially when coal is still one of Australia's most valuable exports.
So, back to the two major parties.
Labor is the clear winner on climate change policy. But are they really?
When Bill Shorten is actually questioned on how they're going to achieve those promises, he can't actually answer the question.
It almost seems as if he's throwing out numbers higher than the Liberal Party to buy votes and can't back it up with anything concrete.
Although, voting for the Liberals seems like a sell-out if climate change is really that important to a young person.
How are we expected to know what's going on when some politicians don't even understand the ins-and-outs of their own policies?
Not everything's black and white.
We do care.
The turbulent nature of politics just makes it hard to stay focused.
- Xanthe Gregory, second-year CSU (Journalism and International studies)