The Mission:
Voting in government elections is compulsory for all Australian citizens over the age of 18. in 2014, the Greens were again pushing for the voting age to be lowered to 16 years old. Greens MP Stephen Bates notes: “16 and 17-year-olds can drive cars, work, enlist in the Australian Defence Force, and serve their communities, yet they have no say in the composition of their own government. Students are being left out of the critical decisions that impact them and want their voices to be heard”.
Youth Vote 2025 is a (fictional) independent youth-led organisation that aims to raise awareness and support for lowering the voting age and are lobbying to have this legislation passed and in place ahead of the next federal election.
The task is to develop an integrated campaign that informs your audience about the proposed legislation and the positive impact it can have on future generations. Raise awareness of, and support for, the proposed Greens legislation to lower the voting age in Australia to 16.
Captain's Log:
I want to shine a harsh light on the behaviours and comments our current politicians make that may fly under the radar. These are the people we have running the country. They need to be held accountable.
However, knowing the audience is not tuned in to the system, using technical jargon will only push them away. The best way to pull them back in is with jokes and humour, but why make jokes when politics is already a comedic goldmine?
This campaign is an exercise in giving the audience an a-ha! moment. I want to reward the viewer for engaging with these ads with a little chuckle. Heaven knows there’s enough to be upset and distressed about. While at first glance these ads may seem cynical (“It couldn’t be any worse”), but it’s really about empowerment. We know the politics we have now isn’t good enough and it’s up to us, the people, to make that change.
