Figures released last month by the Australian Electoral Commission as the close of the electoral rolls drew near showed that nearly half of all 18-year-olds were not enrolled to vote.

But Member for Wannon Dan Tehan said he had found young people were engaged in the political process but not in a traditional way. They were making their views known through social media, he said.

Among the issues they were concerned about were getting their first job, getting a university education when they were from a rural area and traineeships, Mr Tehan said.

Independent candidate Bernardine Atkinson said she had found many young people anxious about the future. The government needed to give them hope by providing stable career pathways and minimum cost education, she said.

Labor candidate Michael Barling said he did not believe 18-24 year olds were disengaged and the claim they were was an issue for older people. He said the strength and potential of young people needed to be recognised by older generations who should be telling young people “we are interested in your ideas.”

Greens candidate Thomas Campbell said young people were engaged in the political process but they were disappointed they had not got the advantages that older generations had such as free education and easier entry into the housing market.

Independent Michael McCluskey said young people looked at “people rather than parties” in deciding their vote.and they were not interested in “rusted on” political allegiances.