Young voters turn away from Labor as One Nation surges in latest polling

Labor's federal budget has failed to gain traction with younger Australians, with a new Redbridge poll revealing concerning trends for the government as One Nation consolidates its rising support across multiple age demographics.

The survey, published Sunday night, shows One Nation outpolling Labor among millennials by two percentage points—30 per cent to 28 per cent—whilst the minor party continues its steady climb in overall primary vote support. The findings represent a significant shift in voter sentiment just weeks after the budget's delivery.

Generation Z largely disengaged from budget debate

Perhaps more troubling for the government is evidence of widespread disengagement among Generation Z voters. Only 6 per cent of young voters surveyed reported noticing "a great deal" about the budget announcements, whilst nearly half—47 per cent—said they had noticed "very much" little about the measures. A further 14 per cent claimed to have noticed nothing at all.

"Those that do know about the budget, don't like it," Redbridge director Tony Barry told the ABC.

Among the youngest cohort, One Nation's primary vote stands at 10 per cent, though this masks deeper concerns about Labor's ability to communicate its economic message to voters who will feel its effects most acutely over coming decades.

Hanson emerges as preferred leader among Gen X

In a striking reversal of traditional political alignments, the polling found Pauline Hanson rated as the preferred prime minister among Generation X voters—a demographic typically considered more aligned with establishment politics. This shift suggests One Nation has successfully broadened its appeal beyond its traditional support base.

The result underscores a broader pattern evident in recent polling, with the minor party consistently gaining ground across age groups and regional demographics. One Nation's primary vote now competes directly with the Labor and Coalition, marking a significant realignment in Australian electoral politics.

Labor faces substantial ground to recover

Pollster Tony Barry cautioned that Labor has "a lot of ground to cover" to improve voter perceptions of both the budget and the government's broader economic management. The assessment suggests the government's messaging strategy has failed to resonate, particularly with younger voters who represent the long-term electoral challenge.

The findings raise questions about the government's communication approach and its ability to articulate the budget's benefits in language that resonates with voters across generational lines. With younger demographics showing both rejection of the budget and substantial ignorance of its contents, Labor faces a complex challenge: reaching disengaged voters whilst converting those who have engaged with negative impressions.

The poll results appear consistent with broader trends showing declining voter confidence in traditional major parties, with protest votes and minor party support increasingly fragmenting the electoral landscape across Australia.