Written

For

The

Australian

-

How

the

government

is

squeezing

Boomers

to

boost

young

voters

Are you over 45? If so, you've just become the federal government's favourite ATM.

The numbers don't lie. At the 2025 federal election, Baby Boomers slipped to just 33 per cent of eligible voters, while Gen Z and Millennials surged to 47 per cent. Policy, unsurprisingly, has followed the votes.

Look at the hits Gen X and Boomers have copped in quick succession. Division 296 slaps a new tax on large super balances — punishing the very people who did exactly what successive governments told them to do: save hard and be self-sufficient in retirement. There's now speculation borrowing inside super to buy property could be banned. Capital gains tax rules look set to tighten. Negative gearing could be capped. Family trust distributions may face a 30 per cent minimum tax. Novated lease benefits on EVs are being wound back. Home battery rebates have been watered down. Centrelink's deeming rate has jumped 0.5 per cent, making the age pension harder to access. And aged care reforms now sting self-funded retirees with higher fees and higher lifetime thresholds.

Meanwhile, younger Australians are getting an entirely different experience of government. $16bn of HECS debt wiped. First home buyers guaranteed with just a 5 per cent deposit — or 2 per cent under the Help to Buy Scheme. The amended stage three tax cuts skewed to favour lower brackets. Paid parental leave expanding to 26 weeks. Subsidised childcare three days a week for households earning up to $533,280.

I'm not arguing against helping younger Australians — many of these policies have genuine merit. But the pattern is unmistakable. Older Australians who played by the rules, paid their tax and built their own retirement are quietly footing the bill for the political priorities of a new majority voting bloc.

The only silver lining? If the government keeps propping up our kids, perhaps the bank of mum and dad can finally close its doors.