A new study from the John Curtin Research Centre has revealed what many of us already know: young voters are rejecting trumpism. While this is good news, it’s not enough to simply not want a Trump-like figure—we need to organise, mobilise, and fight for the progressive future we believe in.
What the Research Shows
The survey of voters aged 18-44 found:
✅ Only 23% think Australia would benefit from a Trump-style leader.
✅ 58% explicitly reject the idea.
✅ Even among young Coalition voters, more oppose than support a Trump-like figure.
This aligns with broader trends—young people are progressive on gender equality, climate action, and economic fairness, but deeply disillusioned with politics as usual.
Why This Isn’t Enough
While it’s great that most young Australians reject far-right extremism, disillusionment isn’t a strategy. The same study shows:
🔴 Young people don’t trust governments to act on their biggest concerns: housing, inequality, and cost of living.
🔴 Right-wing populism is still growing among young men, mirroring global trends.
🔴 Without organised pressure, progressive attitudes alone won’t shift power.
As Nick Dyrenfurth from the John Curtin Research Centre warns:
“Young people are attracted to anti-establishment politics… their rage and resentment towards an economic system gamed against them is real.”
If we don’t channel that frustration into collective action, the vacuum could be filled by the far right—or worse, apathy.
The Bad News: Voting Knowledge Gaps Are Dangerous
Griffith University’s nationwide Gen Z study uncovered alarming gaps:
- 30% of unregistered young voters didn’t know they had to enroll
- 47% who voted did so mainly to avoid the $20 fine
Non-voters were more likely to be unemployed and disconnected from politics
As researcher Dr Sofia Ammassari notes:
“The barrier was a lack of knowledge rather than a deliberate choice not to vote.”
How We Fight Back: The Youth Voter Bloc
With young people making up nearly half of all voters, we have the numbers to demand change—but only if we organise. That’s why the Tomorrow Movement is building a Youth Voter Bloc and tackling these challenges head-on by:
📢 Running voter education workshops (no confusing jargon, just clear info)
🗳️ Hosting enrollment drives at unis, workplaces and community spaces
✊ Training young organizers to mobilize their peers in disadvantaged areas
🔥 Making voting meaningful by connecting it to issues like housing and climate justice
What You Can Do
- Join the Youth Voter Bloc – Strength comes from numbers. Sign up here.
- Talk to your friends – Share this research and discuss how we turn frustration into power.
- Get involved in local actions – From actions to voter registration drives, we need boots on the ground.
The Bottom Line
Rejecting Trumpism is the bare minimum. Real change happens when we organise. Let’s make sure our generation’s progressive values translate into real political power.