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“Dip the camera quality, Albo”: Will influencers shape the upcoming Australian election?

The countdown to Australia’s next federal election has begun. 

With Millennials and Gen Z now the biggest voting bloc, social media is more influential than ever.  

In the recent US election, high-profile stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift backed Kamala Harris, but their influence wasn’t enough to secure her the presidency. 

Could influencers now take the reins in engaging younger voters in Australia?

On Thursday morning’s episode of The Briefing, we sit down with Konrad Benjamin from Punters Politics. 

He is a podcast anchor and YouTube creator. Together, we explore how influencers might shape the outcome of this historic election.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is among the politicians venturing into TikTok and Instagram to connect with younger audiences. 

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“I’m seeing politicians do it really well and politicians not do it really well,” Benjamin said.

Key issues being debated both online and in parliament include social media restrictions for children, combating misinformation, housing affordability, and limits on international student numbers.

“It’s inevitable, right? Because that’s essentially what influencers are. Marketing has now just infiltrated our friend groups and just everyday punters,” he added.

“So now everyone’s selling you something, no matter what it is. So politics is another product to sell.”

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