Some may say that younger voters only have themselves to blame, given their higher propensity for disengagement from the political process, unlike the boomer generation, who have generally been more active. A recent report by the Audit Office found that 39 per cent of 18-19 year-olds had failed to enrol to vote (up from 32 per cent in 2010). But there are some signs that the tide may be about to turn. Some may say that younger voters only have themselves to blame. Credit:Tanya Lake While I am on the wrong side of 40, I teach macroeconomics to first- and second-year undergraduate students. In recent years I have noticed these student cohorts becoming increasingly angry about the state of federal economic policy, as evidenced by their questions, comments and feedback in class. It is apparent many of them believe they are getting royally screwed on the intergenerational deal, suspicions echoed by respected economic commentators such as Chris Richardson and Ross Gittens. This political time bomb is ticking loudly. They are starting to realise that in order to make themselves heard, they have to get serious, get organised and even get militant. Rather than merely complain about Canberra's shortcomings, a call to arms should be issued for them to form their own party.

Obviously, the more politically-minded in this age group were not organised in sufficient time for a tilt at the 2016 poll, but I suspect that such a party could be established in time to make a run at the 2019 vote (assuming no early election), especially if 150 James Mathison types emerge around the country. This new ticket may be called the "Intergenerational Fairness Party" or something similar (its founding members will probably coin a far more captivating name). Whatever the branding, their policy agenda will include purposefully and unapologetically 'smashing' house prices via whatever means necessary. This means campaigning for axing property (and similar) taxation concessions, inclusion of primary residence in the age pension asset test, state-based land value taxes, and so on; perhaps even reconsidering the inflation-targeting monetary policy framework. Flux, registered on March 29, was founded by some younger (by modern Australian parliamentary standards) tech-savvy operators. But Flux is motivated by influencing the decision-making process, rather than hitching to a political movement, such as the youth one. Admittedly, no third political force in Australia has made any lasting impact into disturbing the Coalition-Labor duopoly, which has resisted all newcomers for decades. It took the Greens nearly 20 years to achieve their best-ever showing at the 2010 election. While they have often acted as a de facto party for the young, this core constituency of theirs may now be amenable to a dedicated alternative.