History:

During the 2004 Federal Election Vibewire made history by placing the first ever youth correspondents on the campaign trail as part of the electionTracker project.

The four young journalists, aged 18, 19, 22 and 25, traveled with the Labor and Coalition Leaders press contingents for one week each in the fortnight leading up to the election. These writers wrote two stories for electionTracker.net each day – one news report/analysis, and one blog entry. A group of over 30 highly commended applicants from around the country also submitted regular stories to the site, so that frequently as many as twelve features were published each day. These stories were a mix of news, commentary, policy analysis, satire and personal blogging. The site also encompassed voting and enrolment information (in partnership with the Australian Electoral Commission), information on major parties, Q&As with candidates and MPs, frequently asked questions, links, satire, email-a-politician forms, along with online forums offering visitors the chance to question representatives of the major parties.

This opportunity not only enhanced the professional and personal development of the chosen applicants, but empowered young Australians generally to participate more fully in a process that will determine Australia’s future, as news makers, as citizens (with the interactive nature of the web site opening up opportunities for discussion), and as better informed and more engaged voters. 

We also reached many thousands of young people through partnership with 8 radio stations, 6 of them community stations and 2 government, which covered updates from the ‘Trackers’ in the field and interviewed project coordinators about the project. These stations were:
•    ABC Radio National (National);
•    SBS Alchemy (National);
•    2SER-FM (Sydney);
•    RRR FM (Melbourne);
•    4ZZZ FM (Brisbane);
•    Edge Radio (Hobart);
•    Radio Adelaide (Adelaide); and
•    RTR FM (Perth)

The electionTracker concept has been endorsed by the Queensland Parliamentary Legal Constitutional and Administrative Affairs Committee in their report “Voices and Votes: a Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into Young People’s Engagement in Democracy in Queensland.”

ElectionTracker at the 2006 Queensland State Election

 
Based on the 2004 electionTracker but developed in a much shorter time-frame and on a smaller budget which precluded the use of Trackers, electionTracker Queensland allowed many young people to cover, follow and discuss the state election. Supported by the Electoral Commission of Queensland and Brisbane City Council electionTracker Queensland went from first discussions between Vibewire and ECQ and launch in less than a month, necessitated by the calling of an early election.

To support the site a promotional campaign was designed by Vibewire in consultation with the Electoral Commission of Queensland to encourage young Queenslanders to focus on the upcoming state poll and raise awareness of the electionTracker website.

electionTracker 2007

 
In partnership with the Dusseldorp Skills Forum (www.dsf.org.au) Vibewire is very pleased to be able to present electionTracker at the 2007 Federal election.

It will once again involve four young writers gaining the opportunity to join the press contingent following John Howard and Kevin Rudd on the campaign trail, supported by a wider team of young writers covering the issues and conversations that matter this election from a youth perspective. Our goal is to engage younger and first-time voters in active citizenship, allowing them to make a more educated choice in the ballot box and feel a part of our democratic tradition.

The 2007 Trackers:

Jacqueline Breen

Jacqueline Breen, 19, is the youngest of the 2007 Election Trackers. She graduated from high school last year fully expecting to enjoy a life of poverty on the Sydney theatre scene but has recently sold out to pursue the exorbitant pay packet of freelance journalism. When she is not busy failing subjects in her journalism degree at the University of Sydney she can be found with her nose in a newspaper, a novel or a strong coffee.
 
 After completing work experience at the Sydney Morning Herald in 2006, Jacqueline’s interest in print journalism has given way to the delights of campus radio. She has at least two dedicated listeners and loyal fans – also known as her Mum and Dad. In her free time she enjoys waiting tables and stressing about government and economics essays.
 
Jacqueline is indecently excited about the electiontracker project and the chance to join John Howard on his morning stroll. Passionate about Australian politics and involving young people in the debate, she hopes to hook her friends in one flat joke at a time. At the very least, she wants to score a Kevin 07 shirt

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Matthew Clayfield, 22, is a freelance critic and journalism student currently based in Melbourne. Originally from Mount Gambier, South Australia, where his ego flourished unchecked for eighteen years, Matthew relocated to Queensland's Gold Coast in 2004, where he clashed with lecturers and students alike at Bond University. 
 
Several films and countless manifestos later, Matthew graduated in December 2005 with a Bachelor of Film & Television and a number of battle scars. He moved to Melbourne at the beginning of 2006 with a mind to continue studying, but dropped out after six months to prevent himself from going mad. 
 
Matthew has written critical essays and arts, theatre and food reviews for a number of publications including Senses of Cinema, Metro Magazine, RealTime, Arts In the City, Australian Stage Online, The Scene, and the Australian Book Review. His reviews occasionally appear on his blog [link: http://www.esotericrabbit.com/blog/], which he has kept for nearly five years.
 
In early 2007, Matthew began studying for his Masters of Journalism through the University of Queensland. He is currently completing the course externally while working at a bank, much to his chagrin. 

Matthew believes in the power of good criticism and good journalism, especially when combined. While his ego has been tempered somewhat over the last couple of years, his lofty ambitions and idealistic sense of purpose continue to fire at full strength.

Nick Parkin, 23, is the oldest and most immature of the trackers. Originally hailing from Adelaide, a peaceful city he fondly and annoyingly refers to as “RADelaide”, Nick moved to Melbourne earlier this year to study journalism at RMIT University. He will graduate very soon.

Nick has had a keen interest in politics ever since fellow Adelaidean Alexander Downer paraded around in fishnet stockings back in 1996 – Nick was 12 at the time. This inspiring image had a profound impact on him, and eventually led to his undergraduate study of politics and history.
 
When not reading newspapers and bitterly complaining about politicians’ choice of ties, Nick likes to mountain bike, socialise, and generally have fun. He also seems to travel a lot, sleeps very little, and wastes most of his money buying retro video games.

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David Ramli

David Ramli, 21, is a Journalism student from Sydney.  Born in the People’s Republic of China, he immigrated to Australia at the age of one, learning
English through Tin Tin comics and the 1980’s classic hit “Safety Dance” by
pop group Men Without Hats. 
 
Thus David’s two great loves were implanted – Journalism, and the secret longing to make ‘S’ shapes with his hands to the sound of an electronic organ.  Like all stereotypical humanities students David has worked a variety of jobs, from fast food teller-boy and restaurant table-runner to clothes-labeller and local government media cadet.  On the side, David has managed a number of achievements. 
 
Despite winning an Ossie award for Best Radio News Piece in 2006, being published in New Matilda and Vertigo and broadcasted on 2SER, his proudest victory remains becoming Head Chip Flipper at a leading fast-food restaurant for two years running. 
 
An avid lover of travelling to places where English is unspoken (China, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Thailand and Turkey), David has honed his miming skills by acting out conversations using nothing more than a fork, two spoons and body language.  
 
Although many suspect David’s participation in electiontracker is merely a ruse to gain extra frequent flier miles, he looks forward to being a pioneer – burning career bridges before he crosses them by asking questions over the top of veteran journalists.