Australia’s recent federal election failed to inspire or engage younger generations, according to prominent psychologist and political commentator Professor David Stevens.
“The campaign was widely seen as dull and overly focused on personalities rather than substance,” Professor Stevens said.
“That’s a real letdown for younger voters who are hungry for bold ideas and meaningful change.”
Dr Stevens highlighted the urgent need for policies that seriously tackle climate change, social equity, and economic justice.
“While the 2025 election made some gestures toward youth concerns, it ultimately fell short of driving the kind of systemic change and deeper civic engagement that’s desperately needed,” he said.
This election marked a historic milestone: for the first time, Millennials and Gen Z outnumbered older generations at the ballot box.
“And yet, what we got was a missed opportunity,” Dr Stevens said.
“Young Australians were essentially forced to choose the best of a bad bunch — it was a campaign that celebrated parties and personalities over real policy. That cannot be the future of our democracy. We can do better — and we must.”
Still, Dr Stevens acknowledges the integrity of the electoral process itself.
“What we saw was a functioning, decent democracy. But now it’s time to go further. It’s time to reimagine what democracy can look like.”
He believes Australia has the historical and moral leadership to pave the way forward.
“We were global pioneers — the first country to give women the right both to vote and to stand for election in 1902. Only New Zealand beat us to women’s suffrage by a single year. That same spirit can guide us again.”
What’s needed now, Dr Stevens said, is a non-partisan movement to rethink democratic systems from the ground up. He calls for the creation of a new think tank dedicated to fostering innovative political solutions and inspiring fresh thinking among younger Australians.
According to Dr Stevens, a website (One World League – Join the Revolution) has been constructed to herald the development of a “democracy renaissance,” to create in turn the world’s first cyber-democracy.
“It’s time to move beyond the tribalism of traditional political parties,” he said.
“Let’s start focusing on good ideas — regardless of where or whom they come from — and link them to a broader, long-term vision for democracy.”
Professor David Stevens, based at the University of Notre Dame, Australia, has spent over 25 years exploring the intersection of human behaviour and politics. His recent fiction book, The Compleat OWL, serves as a reflective time capsule of democracy between 1950 and 2050.
At the heart of his work is a commitment to long-term peace and cooperation through cross-cultural dialogue, education, and community action. Dr Stevens continues to encourage individuals and institutions alike to build a future rooted in shared values and collaborative problem-solving.
About Prof. Dr David Stevens
Reg. psychologist, clinician, counsellor, lecturer, author, facilitator.
Adjunct Clinical Professor, University of Notre Dame Australia
Prof. Dr Stevens’ experience base is unique and extensive. He has worked globally as an educational psychologist, organisational/corporate psychologist, and clinician/behavioural psychologist, giving him a fine appreciation of the subtleties of different types of psychology and skill in matching them to clients’ specific needs.
As a corporate psychologist, Dr Stevens’s role covered all facets of decision making on complex commercial situations on a global basis. His challenge was to turn individual adversity into prosperity and personal equanimity.