Public Economics Forum - Australian Voter Disaffection: Perceptions, Realities, and Economic Influences

How satisfied are Australians with their institutions and standard of living? How have these views changed over time?

The upcoming Public Economics Forum will explore these questions with insights from economists at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, who will speak on Australian voter perceptions, realities and economic influences.

Host - Professor Beth Webster
Director of the Melbourne Institute and Ronald Henderson Chair at The University of Melbourne

Moderator - Mr Michael Lye
Secretary, Department of Social Services

Speaker - Professor Roger Wilkins
Have changes in the Australian labour market contributed to voter disaffection?
Drawing on HILDA Survey data, Professor Wilkins will discuss changes in the Australian labour market since 2001. His analysis reveals some deterioration in labour market outcomes for young men without university qualifications.

Speaker - Dr Ferdi Botha
Does economic disaffection affect consumers’ voting choices in Australia?
Dr Botha will examine the shift in voting patterns following the Global Financial Crisis, which has seen a rise of support for non-major parties. His work will explore the correlation between worsening consumer perceptions of the economy and a decline in economic activity, which drives voters away from mainstream parties.

Speaker - Dr Kushneel Prakash
Perception and reality of energy poverty in Australia
Dr Kushneel Prakash will provide evidence on which demographic groups are more likely to be in energy poverty; examine how energy poverty is related to indicators of subjective wellbeing and how being in energy stress influences voting intentions in Federal elections.

Program

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