The 2025 federal election marks an important time for voters born in the internet age, as gen Z and millennial voters significantly outnumber baby boomers heading to the polls.And what better way for politicians to connect with the youth than through TikTok – right?While the Greens might have captured the zeitgeist with theirrecent Brat-themed DJ set, an analysis by marketing company Fabulate found Anthony Albanese is actually leading in engagement on TikTok.A ‘diss track’ and Harry Dutton’s campaign cameo: the Coalition wants to show it ‘gets it’Read moreThe analysis found theprime minister’s most popular video on the platform,a pretty sanitised clip spruiking Medicare, had more than 400,000 views. Meanwhile, Peter Dutton’s top-rating videowas a sombre slideshow on his policieswith more than 130,000 views. Adam Bandt’s top video was on legalising cannabis, raking in more than 90,000 views.We’vealready seenanumber ofpoliticaldiss tracks, as well as AI action figure memes, as political parties fight for young eyeballs online – so who knows what else they might have up their sleeves.Fortunately for young Australians, there’s still yet to be a viral dance routine from leaders. For now.Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletterWhat’s your take?While we’re still on “trying to make politics fetch for anyone under 45”, the independent candidate for Bradfield has taken a bold step.ChannellingKareem Rahma’s popular Subway Takesseries, Nicolette Boele is launching her own – T1 Takes.In apreview videoon Instagram this week, the teal candidate asks commuters riding on Sydney’s north shore train line for their takes. Like the original series, it’s low budget, with interviewees using their Opal cards as microphones.One woman quips: “If men were the ones staying at home, we would have had universal childcare 20 years ago.”“Your generation kind of screwed us over,” a (presumably) gen Z punter says.We can’t wait for more takes.Allow Instagram content?This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content,click 'Allow and continue'.Allow and continueFormer Liberal MPs for prosperityWho says life after politics is dull? Probably not former Coalition MPs Julian Simmonds and Jason Falinski, who are exacting revenge on the pesky challengers who took their seats in the 2022 election.Falinski, the former Mackellar member, and Simmonds, the former Brisbane MP, have been getting busy putting out ads for their anti-super-tax group, Australians for Prosperity.The “grassroots” group has spent nearly $113,000 in the three months to 13 April across 182 ads, according to Meta’s ad library. Most of those ads target teal candidates, including Sophie Scamps, who unseated Falinski last election, as well as featuring street interviews.One ad targeting the Wentworth MP, Zali Steggall, resembled a product recall notice, with supposed “defects” including “increases costs”.When they’re not targeting the teals or the Greens, the group’s main gripe is with Labor’s proposal to double the tax rate for superannuation accounts of more than $3m.skip past newsletter promotionSign up toAfternoon Update: Election 2025Free daily newsletterOur Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersEnter your email addressSign upPrivacy Notice:Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see ourPrivacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the GooglePrivacy PolicyandTerms of Serviceapply.after newsletter promotionSound the trumpets, HunterView image in fullscreenClive Palmer and Trumpet of Patriots’ candidate for the seat of Hunter, Suellen Wrightson.Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPLike almost everyone living in Australia, you’ve probably seen or heard an ad from Clive Palmer and his Trumpet of Patriots party. This is because the bulk of his digital ad spending since the start of the campaign – at least $1.4m so far according to Meta and Google data aggregated by Populares’ political AdTracker – has targeted the entirety of Australia.AI ads, action figures and Auto-Tuned raps: Australian election campaigns battle on social mediaRead moreThe only significant spend outside the national spree has been on several YouTube ads targeting the seat of Hunter, near Newcastle, and surrounding electorates. One ad takes aim at themajor parties’ support for a net zero targetand claims that the major parties want to close down the coal industry in the Hunter Valley.The Trumpet’s focus on the Hunter is no doubt due to the Trumpet of Patriots’ candidate in the area, Suellen Wrightson, being the party’s “lower house party leader” and proposed next prime minister.Sound familiar?Marginal marginsWe’ve been tracking everywhere the leaders have been since the start of the campaign, and now that we’ve reached the midway point, we can reveal the locations each leader has visited the most.In this map (using the same modified cartogram design we use for election results so smaller seats are more visible) you can see where they’ve been, and how many times.Not surprisingly, both leaders have been spending plenty of time in marginal electorates – marginal seats have comprised 50% of Albanese’s visits and 57% of Dutton’s so far.According to the Australian Electoral Commission, 51 of Australia’s 150 federal electorates are considered marginal in 2025 (held with a margin of 6% or less).Shanks very muchElection campaigns are full of oopsies moments and it’s our privilege to bring them to you. One eagle-eyedX userspotted a typically divisive post by Facebook page “Election News”, run by rightwing activist group Advance Australia, that seems to have gone astray.View image in fullscreenA post on Facebook page “Election News”, run by activist group Advance Australia, featuring YouTuber Jordan Shanks.Photograph: FacebookThe post contained a link to a YouTube video by Labor-aligned YouTuber FriendlyJordies, AKA Jordan Shanks, with the hyperbolic title (and matching comically large thumbnail) “Labor is too WOKE”. In the video, posted after the US election in November, Shanks expressed concern the party was risking the same fate as the Democrats by focusing on “elitist” and “censorious” policies.But in a cheeky move, Shanks has since changed the video’s title, thumbnail and caption to “The Liberals WILL Privatise Medicare”. “Now Liberal party funds are going towards a MediScare campaign”, he said in afollow-up video detailing the move.“Thanks again for my only paid sponsorship for the election, Libs.”
Train takes, diss tracks and TikTok clips: politicians pull out the stops to win over gen Z voters
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Politicians Embrace Social Media Strategies to Engage Generation Z Voters Ahead of 2025 Election"
The Guardian
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
The upcoming 2025 federal election is poised to be a pivotal moment for Generation Z and millennial voters, who now significantly outnumber baby boomers at the polls. Politicians are increasingly turning to social media platforms like TikTok to connect with these younger voters. The Greens have garnered attention with their DJ set inspired by the popular show 'Brat', but a recent analysis by the marketing firm Fabulate indicates that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leads in TikTok engagement. His most popular video, promoting Medicare, amassed over 400,000 views, while Coalition leader Peter Dutton's top video, a policy slideshow, received just over 130,000 views. Other notable mentions include Greens leader Adam Bandt’s cannabis legalization video, which attracted more than 90,000 views. The trend of using diss tracks and humorous memes is evident, as political parties strive to capture the attention of young voters. However, there is a notable absence of viral dances from political leaders, a staple of TikTok culture, leaving audiences anticipating what creative strategies may emerge next.
In a unique approach to engage with young Australians, independent candidate Nicolette Boele is launching 'T1 Takes', a series inspired by the popular Subway Takes format. In a preview shared on Instagram, Boele interviews commuters on Sydney’s north shore train line, asking for their opinions on political issues. This low-budget series aims to resonate with younger voters, as evidenced by the candid remarks from interviewees. Meanwhile, former Coalition MPs Julian Simmonds and Jason Falinski are actively campaigning against teal candidates through their grassroots group, Australians for Prosperity, which has spent significant funds on targeted ads. Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party has also invested heavily in digital advertising, particularly in regions like Hunter Valley, aligning with their candidate's campaign. As the election approaches, political leaders are focusing on marginal electorates, with half of Albanese's campaign visits targeting these crucial areas. The race is heating up, with various creative strategies being employed to capture the interest of younger voters and navigate the complex political landscape leading up to the election.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article examines the strategies employed by politicians to engage with Generation Z voters as the 2025 federal election approaches. It highlights the increasing influence of younger voters, particularly those born in the internet age, and how politicians are adapting their approaches to resonate with this demographic. The focus on social media platforms like TikTok illustrates a shift in political campaigning, aiming to capture the attention of younger Australians through relatable and engaging content.
Politicians Embracing Digital Platforms
The analysis notes how major political figures, such as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, are effectively utilizing TikTok to connect with younger voters. Albanese’s most popular video promoting Medicare garnered over 400,000 views, indicating a successful engagement strategy. In contrast, other politicians, such as Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt, while also attempting to reach this audience, have not achieved the same level of engagement. The competition among political parties to create appealing content, including diss tracks and memes, underscores the evolving nature of political discourse in the digital age.
Cultural Relevance and Voter Engagement
The article also highlights the independent candidate Nicolette Boele’s initiative to engage commuters on public transport through a series called T1 Takes, which aims to gather public opinions in a casual format. This approach reflects an understanding of the need for politicians to be relatable and in touch with the concerns of younger generations. The comments collected from the public reveal a sense of frustration among younger voters regarding the policies of previous generations, suggesting a deeper narrative about intergenerational accountability.
Potential Manipulations and Hidden Agendas
While the article presents a lively account of political engagement through modern channels, it could be argued that there is a manipulation of the narrative surrounding youth engagement. By focusing on the entertaining aspects of political communication, there may be an attempt to distract from substantive policy discussions. This could inadvertently downplay the serious issues facing younger voters, such as climate change and economic instability. The language used throughout the article is designed to create a sense of excitement and urgency, which may influence public perception of the political landscape.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The reliability of the article can be assessed based on its presentation of factual data regarding social media engagement and the strategies of various politicians. However, the emphasis on entertainment and the playful tone may lead some readers to question the depth of analysis regarding the actual policies being discussed. Overall, while the article provides insight into the evolving political landscape, it may prioritize style over substance, potentially skewing public perception of the real issues at stake.
Implications for Society and Politics
The strategies outlined in the article could have significant implications for how political campaigns are conducted in the future. As younger voters become a more substantial voting bloc, their preferences will likely shape political discourse and policy priorities. This shift could lead to an increased focus on issues such as climate action, social justice, and economic reform, as politicians strive to align their platforms with the values of a younger electorate.
Community Support and Target Demographics
The article targets communities that are engaged in social media, particularly those who identify as Gen Z and millennials. By highlighting the use of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it appeals to a demographic that values innovation and relatability in political discourse. This approach suggests an acknowledgment of the diverse ways in which younger voters consume information and engage with political content.
Impact on Financial Markets
The article does not directly address potential impacts on financial markets or specific stocks. However, the political landscape and the issues prioritized by younger voters can influence sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and social justice initiatives. As these topics gain traction in political discussions, companies associated with these fields may experience changes in investor sentiment and market performance.
Global Context and Current Affairs
While the article primarily focuses on Australian politics, the trends discussed reflect a broader global phenomenon where political engagement is increasingly being driven by social media. This aligns with global discussions around the influence of digital platforms on democracy and civic engagement, making it relevant to ongoing debates in various countries about the role of technology in shaping political narratives.
Artificial Intelligence Considerations
It is possible that AI tools were used in drafting or analyzing social media engagement metrics mentioned in the article. AI models could have assisted in identifying trends or predicting voter behavior based on online interactions. However, the article does not explicitly mention the use of AI, leaving it ambiguous as to how much technology has influenced the content. The overall analysis of the article suggests a complex interplay between political strategy, digital engagement, and youth perspectives. While it captures the essence of modern campaigning, it also raises questions about the depth of political discourse and the need for substantive engagement with critical issues.