In brief
With the election approaching, Liberal-National candidates are actively courting Chinese Australian voters on platforms like WeChat and RedNote, a community that has shifted its allegiance in light of recent sentiments and actions from the Coalition.
In the final days leading to the election, candidates from Australia’s opposition have sharpened their focus on an essential demographic—the Chinese Australian voters—who previously swayed from the conservative Liberal-National coalition in the last election. Now, those same candidates are reaching out through the very social media platforms they once considered banning due to national security concerns, namely Chinese apps like WeChat and RedNote.According to a 2022 poll by the Lowy Institute, nearly 60% of Chinese Australians are active users of WeChat daily. For example, Grange Chung, vying for the New South Wales seat of Reid held by the Labor party, has begun engaging with potential voters through his WeChat account. In a recent video, Chung expressed gratitude for the home Australia provided his family when they arrived with little, emphasizing his desire to "finish what I started" in serving the community.Chinese Australians, though comprising only 5.5% of the country's population, played a pivotal role in Labor's win in 2022, which ended nearly a decade of Liberal-National rule. Many believe the shift in voting patterns stems from perceptions that the Coalition mishandled racist attacks during the pandemic and the anti-China sentiments expressed by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.In a bid to reconnect with the Chinese Australian electorate, Liberal candidates are ramping up their outreach efforts in marginal seats. As Reid resident Henry Luo observed, the campaign strategies this year have included significant targeting of Chinese Australians, involving sponsored advertisements on WeChat and collaborations with popular Chinese celebrities.Liberal candidate Keith Wolohan even shares moments from his personal life on these platforms, aiming to connect with the community through cultural events, while other candidates are utilizing translations to reach voters who are more comfortable in Mandarin and Cantonese. This strategic pivot aligns with the reality that about 25% to 26% of Australians primarily speaking Mandarin or Cantonese at home have limited English proficiency, according to government statistics.Despite these efforts, opinions vary on whether increased visibility on social media will translate into votes. Qiuping Pan, a Chinese Studies lecturer at the University of Melbourne, notes that the Chinese Australian electorate is more politically aware than before and may lean toward independent candidates who seem more aligned with their community's interests, eschewing party loyalty.Furthermore, some individuals express frustration that their political engagement is often perceived through the lens of skepticism or manipulation. Sydney resident Erin Chew highlights the negative stereotypes that have persisted, particularly concerning Asian volunteers being labeled as "Chinese spies." She and others worry that such sentiments reflect broader issues surrounding the perception of the Chinese Australian community in politics.In the New South Wales seat of Bennelong, where roughly one-third of residents have Chinese ancestry, Liberal contender Scott Yung uses WeChat posts featuring Mandarin subtitles to broaden his reach. Yung emphasizes the significance of fostering a positive relationship between Australia and China, a sentiment echoed by Osmond Liu of the Per Capita think tank, who notes that the community's concerns include rising racism and the socioeconomic implications of the countries' relations.However, the Liberals' strategy may clash with the party's overall narrative. Voter Alex Wang voiced concerns that coalition leaders have expressed intentions to reduce migration and limit international student growth, raising anxiety within the Chinese community in Australia.As election day approaches, the political dynamics surrounding Chinese Australian voters remain critical, shaping candidates' strategies and igniting discussions about representation and community impact.
