All good pollies knock doors. Knocking on doors is one of the few ways to hear from constituents directly. It is also systematically biased toward NIMBYs.
The door-knock gap is simple. Door-knocking only works on front doors you can access. This means that the 17% of appartment dwelling Australians and 0.48% of homeless Australians are never knocked. Additionally a majority of young adults live in their parents’ homes, where they are less likely to be the one who answers the door.
This leaves MPs feeling that anti-supply sentiment is more popular than it truly is, and shuts out young people from accessing the MPs who are meant to represent them.
What Should Change
We propose three solutions that MPs, candidates, and Electorate Officers should consider:
- When you hear anti-supply sentiment while door-knocking, remind yourself that you are hearing a biased sample of your electorate.
- Regularly engage in other outreach strategies like stalls, particularly in places non-homeowners are more likely to pass, such as train stations.
- Establish a Youth Advisory Council.
The Opportunity
Renters are a growing part of the electorate. They are younger, more diverse, and more progressive than homeowners on average. They are also fed up. A party that makes renters feel seen and heard can build a loyal voting bloc for a generation.