The Federal Election is Coming Up
The Federal election is coming up – enrol to vote and make your voice heard!
We know, we know – voting is compulsory in Australia. But this doesn’t mean that everyone who can vote actually does. Voters need to be enrolled – which is also compulsory once you turn 18 – before an election is announced. The problem is, over 15.5% of 18-24 year-old Australians (about 295,000) are not enrolled1, and can’t cast their vote. In the last Federal election, the most marginal seat was won by just 32 votes, so every vote truly does count.
Why is it so important that you enrol and vote?
At Ben & Jerry’s, we believe in the power of democracy so we can speak up for the things Australians care about. For a fair and inclusive society, everyone must exercise their right to have their voice heard. Voting is a crucial way to do this.
There are certain issues that young people care about that aren’t taken into account by our politicians. A recent study2 indicated that 8 in 10 young Australians think the world is going in the wrong direction and the environment is one of their top three concerns. In fact, 43% of young Australians are more concerned about the environment and climate change than any other global issue.
As they say, you have to be in it to win it. And if young people are not enrolled and not voting then politicians won’t hear them. After all, young Australians are the ones who have to live with the effects of climate change so it’s time for young Australians to speak up.
Why we need climate action now
Climate change is beyond urgent. Every day, we see its effects all over the world in our news feeds. Here in Australia, it’s the bleaching of Great Barrier Reef, severe drought for farmers coupled with irresponsible water use, extreme bushfires and record temperatures everywhere. The evidence is undeniable. Despite this, combined with the fact that Australia is one of the highest per capita emitters of carbon dioxide in the world3, our politicians continue to underdeliver on climate action.
Young voters – make your voice heard!
People-powered initiatives like taking shorter showers, riding bicycles and supporting sustainability initiatives are important, but the best way to make large-scale change is to enrol and vote in the upcoming 2019 Federal election. Together, we can send a message to all Australian politicians that climate change is the key issue for young Australians and action must be taken now.
To help young voters have their say, we’re partnering with Australian Young Climate Coalition (AYCC) to help them check their electoral enrolment status and to spread the word on climate change to these young Aussies. Ben & Jerry’s and AYCC will be at selected universities in NSW, ACT and QLD during O-Week to help you check your electoral enrolment, chat climate and hand out free scoops of ice cream.
The earth is just like ice cream – if it’s melted, it’s ruined. Australians have an important part to play. So, enrol to vote and vote climate.
Check your enrolment at https://check.aec.gov.au
Enrol to vote at https://aec.gov.au/enrol/
Follow us on Facebook to find out where we’ll be handing out free scoops this O-Week.
1 https://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Enrolment_stats/performance/national-youth.htm
2 VICE Youth Study 2018
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