“Politicians Engage Chinese-Australian Communities on Xiaohongshu Ahead of May 3 Election”
SYDNEY, April 4 (Reuters) – Jerome Laxale, the Labor Party’s MP for Bennelong, and other politicians are using Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (RedNote) to reach out to Chinese-Australian voters ahead of the May 3 election. In 2022, Laxale’s win was partly driven by Chinese-Australian votes in response to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s strained relations with Beijing. Now, both the Labor and Liberal parties are targeting this key electorate.
Laxale, who won Bennelong by just 1%, is leveraging social media to maintain his connection with voters, handing out red envelopes with QR codes linking to his Xiaohongshu and WeChat accounts. “Labor has only won Bennelong twice, and never held onto it. If I win, it would be historic,” said Laxale.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, facing declining popularity, hopes to retain seats like Bennelong, while opposition leader Peter Dutton works to rebuild support among Chinese Australians after their shift away from the Liberal Party in 2022. The relationship with Beijing has improved under Labor, but economic challenges remain a critical issue.
The Liberal Party’s review of the 2022 election highlighted the importance of reconnecting with Chinese communities, particularly in marginal seats. Dutton is making efforts to demonstrate shared values with Chinese voters, and recent polls show his efforts have made inroads.
Politicians have used Chinese apps like WeChat before, but Xiaohongshu, popular for lifestyle content, is gaining traction. Over 21 politicians are on the app, with some, like Keith Wolahan, gaining thousands of followers. However, security concerns over Chinese tech remain, with politicians using the platform only on personal devices.
While economic concerns like cost of living and housing affordability are paramount for Chinese-Australian voters, Labor emphasizes the restored relationship with China, while the Liberals focus on supporting small businesses affected by high costs and taxes.
Some Chinese-Australian voters, like Frank Guo in Bennelong, are considering shifting their support back to the Liberal Party, citing economic concerns. As the May 3 election approaches, the influence of Chinese-Australian voters remains crucial.