Victorian election: Youth vote push as pollies hit the road

Victoria's election campaign has seen ice creams for the unenrolled, pledges for agribusiness and sport, a visit from Bob Brown and a Derryn Hinch prediction.

Ice cream is being hailed as the key to winning Victoria's youth vote.

Ice cream is being hailed as the key to winning Victoria's youth vote. Source: AAP

While most Victorians will know to turn up to a polling booth on November 24, some 18-24-year-olds are the subject of a specifically targeted campaign to make sure they do.

A "Mr Votey" ice cream van was in Melbourne on Saturday as young people used the sweet snack to encourage their peers in marginal seats to enrol to vote by Tuesday 6 November - the enrolment cut-off date.

The van, which will travel across Melbourne over the next few days, is an initiative by organisations Environment Victoria and Young Votes to target 18-24-year-olds whose unenrolment numbers are greater than the votes needed to change the outcome in specific seats.
FFormer national Greens leader Bob Brown (left) with Prahran Greens MP Sam Hibbins.
Former national Greens leader Bob Brown (left) with Prahran Greens MP Sam Hibbins. Source: AAP
The groups believe young peoples' concern for climate change, when expressed through the ballot box, will have a strong impact.

"Victoria's youth vote is powerful and we're here to make sure every young person gets to have their say this election," advocate Alex Fuller said.

Meanwhile, veteran environmental campaigner and former national Greens leader Bob Brown lent his star power to Prahran MP Sam Hibbins, who hopes to keep his seat on November 24 - the state's most marginal.

Mr Brown met campaign volunteers in Toorak, encouraging them to believe the Greens' success would be won on their doorknocking efforts.

"It's going to be very close," Mr Hibbins said of his re-election.

The major parties spent Saturday travelling to smaller communities with targeted funding announcements.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Candidate for Bass Jordan Crugnale (centre) and Transport Minister Jacinta Allan (left).
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Candidate for Bass Jordan Crugnale (centre) and Transport Minister Jacinta Allan (left). Source: AAP
Labor went to Kyneton, north of Melbourne, where Premier Daniel Andrews pledged $10 million in grants for small agribusinesses that produce craft food and beverages.

"From jam to gin, this is an investment in local producers and local jobs - and a tourism boom for regional Victoria," he said.

The Liberal Party promised $10 million for a regional sporting precinct at Kingston Green Wedge, south of Melbourne.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said the area lacked sporting facilities, especially as Melbourne's population was expected to double in the next 30 years.

Outspoken federal senator Derryn Hinch was in Geelong launching his party's election campaign and predicted about 30 per cent of voters would desert the major parties.

Derryn Hinch's Justice Party is fielding candidates in every upper house seat and six lower house seats on a policy platform focused on tightening court and jail laws for convicted criminals.

Mr Hinch told his followers independent Kerryn Phelps' win in Malcolm Turnbull's old federal seat was a phenomenon Australians would see more.

"We are different, we are local, we are independent, we'll listen to you," he said.

Early voting commences November 12, ahead of election day on November 24.

 


 

 


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3 min read

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By AAP-SBS

Presented by Justin Sungil Park

Source: AAP, SBS



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