Breaking With Tradition And Going Green

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday November 7, 2007

KATELIN MCINERNEY

I am probably the most typical Generation Y columnist at the Mercury. I have a HECS debt up to my eyeballs. I live at home with my parents, bludging their food, broadband internet and hot water, and sending the power bills through the roof as I re-shrink my pre-shrunk skinny leg jeans in the clothes dryer.

With no big issues such as an economic recession, conscription or 17 per cent interest rates to shape our vote, the close relationship Gen Y have with their parents means "the olds" have more influence on the young vote than YouTube sound bites or the next Chaser election special.

As my parents have voted the same way since they first enrolled, there was no question about the way I was going to vote the first time around.

But (insert whining tone) it was way easier for you guys.

No, it really was.

There was a genuine choice between the major parties, with conservative economic rationalism on one side and the workers' party and welfare state on the other.

Now, it is like choosing between the Olsen twins - one dressed in boho-chic claiming to be "alternative" and the other clad in trendy, cutting-edge fashion with the "trust me, I'm nice" act going on, when underneath they're both corporate tycoons in it for the money.

So, not fair.

The polls show the Kevin 07 circus streets ahead of the Howard has-beens in the 18-24 age group, which means for many young 'uns the election will be based on who they trust more.

For me, this time around, I won't be following my parents.

Most Gen Y, discounting those loyal Young Liberals, dislike the Prime Minister and consider him two-faced and outdated.

For me, voting for a government that leaves an Australian citizen not charged with any offence locked up in a foreign prison without legal representation and away from the prying eyes of the world's humanitarian watchdogs for four years, is just not playing cricket.

Never mind Howard's laughable turnaround on reconciliation after 10 years of inaction, no feasible emissions target, and no paid maternity/paternity scheme to encourage families to share the load and foster a healthy work-family balance.

I can't say Rudd looks much more appealing - Labor's waffling on about changes to WorkChoices makes me distinctly uneasy - but he is the lesser of two evils.

Much to my family's chagrin, I will be voting Greens in the Senate to keep the bastards honest, and all I can say as a Gen Y voter is Bring Back Gough.

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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