Has Australian politics entered a new era? 

In the 2022 federal election, almost one in three voters cast their ballot for minor parties or independent candidates, the highest number in almost 100 years (AES 2022). Political pundits have characterised recent developments in Australian politics as a 'seismic shift', ushering in greater diversity and voices outside traditional party structures. Our voter base is also shifting, with millennials overtaking Baby Boomers as the largest share of the population. 

What led to these historic results and has the tectonic activity settled or continued beyond the election? 

In the lead up to Australia's referendum, this conversation will explore the evolution and future direction of Australia's political landscape and implications for our democracy. 

Conversations Leads:

Dr Zareh Ghazarian is the Convenor of Politics and International Relations at Monash University. Zareh holds a PhD in Political Science from Monash University. His recent books include Australian Politics for Dummies (2022, 2nd edition, co-authored with Nick Economou) and Gender Politics: Navigating Political Leadership in Australia (2021, co-edited with Katrina Lee-Koo). His teaching and research interests include public policy, political knowledge, and elections. Zareh is a leading commentator on politics and policy and is regularly called upon by national and international media to provide analysis.