What matters to young people on the Mid North Coast this election?

In the lead up to the election, both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition leader Peter Dutton have been promising policies for young Australians.

With a focus on issues like cutting free TAFE courses, cuts to student loan debts, giving first home buyers the choice to access up to $50,000 from their super towards a deposit, and improved access to health care, the major parties have made their play at the youth vote. 

But what do young people actually think? And, here on the Mid North Coast, has anything cut through? 

The Mid North Coaster spoke to Ellie, an 18-year-old living in the Nambucca Valley, and Luka, a 19-year-old living in Crescent Head, and asked for their unfiltered thoughts on what they’re looking for from their elected representatives.

Climate and cost of living crisis

Ellie, in the Nambucca Valley, said she wants to see rental prices come down, better access to healthcare in the region, and for the climate crisis to be at the forefront of decision makers.

Ellie told the Mid North Coaster she has only recently moved out of home but still has to rely on her parents for financial support.

“It's almost impossible just to pay bills…It's very hard to live somewhere, especially somewhere nice, without having to have a roommate,” she said.

Ellie isn’t the only one struggling.

“I think it would just make my life much easier if we could really bring [rental prices] down because it's not just me, I know so many of my friends as well who are just really struggling,” she said. 

“I live with three girls and even with three girls we're struggling just to make ends meet.”

Ellie hopes to one day be a homeowner but is finding it hard to save money to go towards that dream.

“It’s really hard even to save because almost all of my paycheck goes to rent and the rest go to bills and stuff and I end up with little to no money at the end of the week.”

More accessible healthcare in the area

As someone with health issues herself, improved access to healthcare is another important issue for Ellie.

“As someone who has got quite severe health issues, it takes me months to get doctors appointments and I pay so much to often get no results,” she said.

“I recently waited six to seven months for a doctor’s appointment. It was for a heart condition – my heart was quite literally failing.”

After the long wait, Ellie was able to see a GP in Coffs Harbour.

Concerned about climate change

Ellie said that climate change has always been “a big worry” for her.

“Even as a little kid I was quite climate-aware, it’s always genuinely been a huge issue for me.”

She hopes the next elected representatives are climate-crisis focused.

“Nobody seems to care anymore. We had a big uprising in 2019 to 2020 and everyone was talking about it…everyone was trying to find solutions and now all of that has died down and nobody seems to approach that topic anymore.”

No “massive” student loan

Luka, a 19-year-old from Crescent Head echoed Ellie’s focus on climate, saying that what matters to her is a “clean and healthy environment”.

Luka also hopes to see renting become more affordable so she “can leave home and move to the Gold Coast.”

Safety is another issue on Luka’s mind. She said “feeling safe on the street at nighttime” is important to her when it comes to voting in this election.

Luke also said she doesn’t want  “massive HECS fees” when she finishes university.

What’s driving your vote this election? Send us an email [email protected]