Overview
- For the first time, 13 social media influencers were invited to the federal budget lock-up to help make politics more accessible to younger audiences.
- The influencers were briefed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and attended a press conference during the lock-up.
- The Labor Party confirmed providing travel and accommodation support for some influencers, though no payments were made for content creation.
- Criticism from traditional media and some politicians questioned the influencers' inclusion, but creators emphasized their role in translating complex policies for their followers.
- This initiative is part of Labor's broader strategy to engage younger voters, who now outnumber older generations in the electorate, ahead of the May election.