I feel our generation (18-25) are really overreacting in the sense that we are doomed that the Liberals won. I don't think any of the liberals policies are that bad.
People are acting like climate change is the only important thing that we have to think about.
The problem is that every attempt so far at implementing effective climate change policy in Australia has failed.
The closest we got was a carbon price implemented under Gillard, which then got repealed under Abbott. The NEG was another close call but ended up getting dumped amongst the recent leadership spill.
Quite frankly this lack of a meaningful climate change policy has frustrated so many young voters and even businesses (who generally align to Liberal) are demanding a proper policy. This frustration (especially as more and more countries leap ahead of Australia with their own climate change policies) is why climate change is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue on voter’s and politician’s minds.
Going into this election, everyone knew that Labor’s climate change policy would be far more effective at reducing emissions than the Liberal’s plan.
For many, this election was a chance to get meaningful climate change action. It seemed so tantalisingly close because Labor was expected to win. Unfortunately, it was not to be. After so many years and attempts, once again we are still stuck without an effective climate change policy.
Basically, history suggests that stepping up on climate change policy is political suicide. The longer this drags on, the more costly it will become for the next generation.
That’s pretty much why young voters are annoyed...