Beyond the Ballot: The Rise of a New Generation and the Future They’re Shaping

Published by Ryan Gollan / 4 May 2025

As the 2025 Australian federal election results rolled in, I found myself at dinner with friends, phone in hand, eyes flicking between conversation and the unfolding political landscape. It wasn't about allegiance to a party or candidate (I am not political); it was about witnessing a moment I had long anticipated - a tangible shift in societal values, driven by the voices of a new generation.

A Historic Shift in Australia

Australia’s 2025 election wasn’t just a political milestone, it was a moment of societal clarity.

The Labor Party secured a historic landslide, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leading the party to a significant victory. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, a figurehead for more traditional conservatism, lost his own seat, a very rare event in Australian political history.

But this blog isn’t about political allegiance (I prefer to keep my personal views private). It’s about what these results reveal beneath the surface: a powerful generational shift in values, identity, and worldview.

The Rise of the Next Generation Voter

For the first time, Millennials and Gen Z together made up nearly half of Australia’s voting population. And globally, similar patterns are emerging: from the U.S. to Europe, from Canada to Singapore.

These voters are not just younger versions of the generations before them. They are fundamentally different. Why?

1. They Grew Up With Global Crises

Terrorism. Recessions. Climate disasters. COVID-19. Social unrest. Mis-information. AI disruption.

This generation has been shaped by instability and forced adaptation. As a result, their priorities are focused on sustainability, justice, and long-term thinking, not short-term promises or nostalgic ideals.

2. They’re Digitally Native and Information Fluid

They don’t rely on a single voice. They scroll, cross-check, fact-find, and form nuanced views.

This constant exposure to diverse ideas means they are less easily influenced by traditional authority, and more attuned to contradiction, spin, and performative gestures.

3. They Value Purpose Over Power

For many next-gen individuals, success is not defined solely by titles, wealth, or legacy. It’s about purpose, contribution, and alignment with their values.

This changes the way they vote, work, invest, and consume. It challenges businesses, governments, and even family traditions to evolve or risk becoming irrelevant.

4. They Demand Accountability

Whether it’s calling out greenwashing, performative philanthropy, or corporate hypocrisy, this generation expects institutions to live their values, not just advertise them.

What This Means for the Future, Globally

As this generation assumes more power, not just politically, but economically, culturally, and socially - we will see shifts in the foundational systems that govern our lives.

• In government: Expect more fluid political identities and support for policies that address root causes rather than surface symptoms.

• In business: Brands that fail to act with integrity, transparency, and inclusivity will be sidelined, regardless of legacy or scale.

• In wealth and family offices: Next-gen inheritors will prioritise impact investing, philanthropy, and purpose-aligned strategies, redefining what it means to “preserve” wealth.

• In education and institutions: Rigid hierarchies and outdated models will be replaced by flexible, holistic, and values-driven structures.

This isn’t a rejection of the past, it’s an evolution into something more responsive, more interconnected, and more human.

Riding the Wave of Change

We are standing at a pivotal crossroads. Some will resist. Some will ignore. Some will try to hold on to the comfort of the old world.

But the most future-ready leaders, whether in politics, business, or philanthropy, will embrace this shift with openness and curiosity.

Because the next-gen isn’t coming. They’re here.

And they’re not just voting with ballots. They’re voting with their voices, their wallets, their attention, and their imagination.

Reflection

This Australian election was not the end of something, it was the beginning of a new rhythm pulsing through the world.

We’re entering a time where values like empathy, transparency, collaboration, and sustainability are no longer “niche.” They are becoming mainstream expectations.

And as someone who works closely with the next generation of family leaders and global changemakers, I can tell you: the future is not just bright. It’s brave.

Let’s make space for it.

Let’s evolve with it.

Let’s build something better, together.

P.S. I don’t write this to support any political party, which I do not. This isn’t about taking sides. It’s about staying awake to the signals of change, and helping others rise with it.