As the federal election campaign begins, and with pollsters on both sides of politics predicting a too-close-to-call race and result, we have seen a relatively new phenomenon – senior Ministers from both sides overtly courting the youth vote.  

A record number of unregistered young voters around the country are being viewed as an untapped resource. One that in a close election campaign could be the difference between forming Government and the purgatory of Opposition.

However, a low level of voter registration amongst young people is not a sign – as many might believe – of apathy. It is instead the manifestation of disenchantment with our current system and standard of politics. 

Young people are all to aware of how blind party politics is polluting the ideals of representative democracy. Politicians who will actually represent the views of the electorate are increasingly rare in Australian politics. And this is deeply concerning to young people who are yearning to simply have their voices heard. There is nothing inspiring or particularly motivating about a vote that doesn't count for anything more than just another seat-filler toeing a party line. 

It seems there is despair amongst politicians as to how to reach and engage with young people, but really, it is so simple. So, Ms. Gillard, Mr. Abbott, and all others seeking (re)election, listen very closely, because I am about to reveal the secret in capturing the youth vote. The secret is: show us something real. Ta-daa! Young people, more than anything, are looking to be inspired. And there is nothing inspiring about spin, sound bites, and smoke-and-mirrors politics. 

This breeds nothing but scepticism and disillusionment, and over the last three years, this is all we have seen from both major parties. 

We are not stupid, and are nothing short of insulted by both sides offering half-step policies, then telling us that they offer 'real action'; whether on climate change, asylum seekers, or the traditional election battle grounds of health and education. We know it's a lie and you know it's a lie, so let us drop the facade. 

It is the traditional political tactic of fear-mongering that is perhaps most disappointing. Already we see both sides attempting to scare the Australian electorate into surrendering their vote to the cause. The ALP, attempting to paint Abbott as... well, as Abbott, and the Liberals professing that a vote for the ALP is a vote for “three more years of instability”. 

Whatever effect this fear-mongering has on the general public – and the sad truth is that it traditionally works quite well – it will not sway young people. If you really want to capture the youth vote, show us why you are better, not why the other side is worse. Painting yourself as the lesser of two evils will win you no favours with us. 

So, as the election campaign begins, here is a message and a plea to politicians of all stripes and creeds, if you want to win the youth vote: don't give us the politics we have, give us the politics we deserve. 

Clay O'Brien, 24, is the National Programs Director of the Left Right Think-Tank, Australia's first independent and non-partisan think-tank of young minds.