It’s often believed Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to vote toward the left of the political spectrum, only to drift right as they get older. New research suggests that’s not actually the case.
Political data shows push for change on issues affecting LGBTQI+ people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and climate change is expected to increase.
Political Scientist Shaun Ratcliff from Sydney University spoke on The Briefing about what Australia’s political future looks like.
“I think we’re going to see an increasing push for socially liberal outcomes,” Ratcliff said.
“For instance, with same-sex marriage. If we go back a few decades ago, this was not on the cards as a change. Support for same sex marriage in 2004 was about 35%. Fast forward to 2017. We have a plebiscite, it’s over 60%, so support nearly doubled in a bit over a decade”.
Ratcliff also said that while older Australians don’t have much of a gender gap in voting patterns, there is a growing political divide between young men and women.
Young women in Australia are driving left-wing support on social and political issues, Ratcliff explains why on The Briefing.
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