Nineteen-year-old Ahmed, from Kellyville in Sydney's west, said he was looking forward to voting in the May 21 poll because he felt it was important that he registered his voice as an active member of Australian society.
He is one of an estimated 440,000 first-time voters in the upcoming election according to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
These new voters are not only comprised of young people who have turned 18 but also thousands of new Australian citizens who can now cast their ballots.
"My feeling is that I have matured and that this is the first time I can vote for a new government and contribute to the formation of my community," Ahmed said.
University student, Tamara Dahir, who has a Lebanese background, said she thought voting was a big responsibility and not one she took lightly.
Ahmed says he is thinking carefully about where to put his vote on May 21. Source: Supplied
"I am proud to be involved in the selection of the new Australian government, which we hope will understand the current circumstances and meet the aspirations of the Australian community," Ms Dahir said.
Melbourne-based Fadi Abbou, 20, said the upcoming election had exposed him to many different opinions and he was eager to participate and influence the democratic process for the first time.
"I know there is a lot of differences of opinion and views, but I’m very excited to participate in and influence the federal election and to have a vote for the first time in Australia," Mr Abbou, who has a Syrian background, said.
University student Shiraz said she would like the incoming government to focus on three, key areas: security, defence and cybersecurity; economic management; and finally, unemployment and job creation for young people.
Fadi Abbou says he is looking forward to casting his vote. Source: Supplied
The 19-year-old from Dural in New South Wales said that given the conflict in Ukraine, she was keen for the new government to ensure safety for Australians as well as protection from cyber-hacking attacks.
"As far as the economy goes, I hope the new government will explain to us the concept of economic crises and how we can avoid them through good governance of the national economy and, finally, to provide alternative employment and education pathways for young people," she said.
Ahmed, who has an Egyptian background, said he believed the new government should support minorities and focus on better integrating them into Australian society.
Shiraz wants the government to focus on national security given the war in Ukraine. Source: Supplied
I want the new government to better integrate minorities from diverse cultural backgrounds into Australian society and to focus more on their issues in the coming period.
Ms Dahir said she believed the new government should focus on the economy and curtailing the “…crazy rise in the price of goods and services as well as help first home buyers realise the ‘Australian dream’ of buying their own homes at reasonable prices".
I would like the next prime minister to focus on fighting the high cost of living, and I want to see policies that help young people buy a property in light of the high house prices as well as wage subsidies.
Mr Abbou said he agreed with Ahmed that the new government should focus on supporting minorities and celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity, but also wanted emphasis given to security and border protection.
"I hope the new government will celebrate different cultures, including Arabic ones in Australia, and I also see the need for the government to pay special attention to security and the protection of Australia’s borders under the current international circumstances," he said.
Young voters still hesitant, undecided
All of the young people who spoke to SBS Arabic24 said they were still considering who they would vote for.
"I have some ideas about candidates and parties, but I will wait until the federal election to resolve my decision categorically," Ahmed said.
"The campaign is still going on, I’ll wait until it’s over, and then I think I’ll have a better idea of the candidate and the party I’m going to give my vote to," Ms Dahir said.
"Regardless of who wins the next federal election, I hope Australia will be put first and its people benefit above any other considerations. I am with any government that guarantees the safety of this community," Mr Abbou said.
