Women hold key to election

UNDECIDED millennial women are likely to be a powerful voice in the federal election result, and now Australia’s largest voting bracket has revealed where its loyalties lie.

The Australian Millennial Report asked 1206 eligible voters (men and women) aged 19-36 about their preferences and what they’d need to get them over the line.

The survey, which was conducted in January and targeted residents all over the country, found that the Liberals would likely lose the vote of this age group with their current sales pitch.

It found only 13 per cent of women and 11 per cent of men indicated they strongly opposed the current government and would likely vote against them.

In contrast, only 4 per cent of women and 7 per cent of men said they were strong Lib- eral backers.

The survey, conducted by Millennial Future Co researchers Mark MacSmith and Tom McGillick, also found there was plenty of ground to cover pre-election in terms of securing the Millennial vote (those born between 1982 and 1999).

Forty-six per cent of women and 32 per cent of men said they were undecided as to who to vote for.

The researchers said they asked Australians from all states and territories what their biggest concerns were pre-election and whether the Liberals currently had their support.

NSW, Victoria, ACT and NT all swung slightly more Liberal ahead of polling day, while WA, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania were more likely to vote against the current government.

“Victoria are in favour of the government, which could be seen as a result of housing affordability in that state, al- though cost of living is still a concern,” Mr MacSmith said.

Millennials with a liberal lean placed higher importance on issues of law and order, transport, military, security and terrorism, population, schools and economy.

The Labor leaners did not like the current state of Australia’s immigration and border security and wanted improvements to cost of living, healthcare and housing affordability.

“Across the country cost of living, the economy and housing affordability are the top election issues for Millennials. This shows that Millennials are not the young hooligans they are made out to be, with a third now over 28, we can see that the economy is starting to matter more and more to them,” Mr MacSmith said. “Women are really interesting for both parties as they’re largely undecided so it shows neither party has really connected with them,” Mr MacSmith said.