In the surveys I recently sent to branch members the overwhelming majority of people responded by saying the 18-35 age bracket (generation X and Y) was the age group the LNP needed to ‘win over’ most.

How do we convince this generation of voters that the LNP is the only party that will secure their future and are the safest hands for our economy? How do we prove that we’re a party of renewal with sound polices for tomorrow?

One scary statistic is the increase in the proportion of younger generations as part of the overall voting population. As can be expected this sections is rising fast, and the LNP has to respond quickly.

Read this recent blog on Crikey to see the break down of generational voting power.

I have spoken on my blog before about changing attitudes to debt and the impact the ETS will have on jobs and the cost of food.

Blogs and facebook are they key to communicating with generation X and Y. For a long time I have been talking to members of my electorate through these social media outlets, as I find them the most useful tool for getting my Council message to younger generations.

In the 2004 and 2008 council elections I achieved 20-30% lead over my opponents on polling day. My success at the local council elections in 2004 and 2008 can not be solely attributed to the use of modern media techniques.

Hard work and door knocking is the key to winning elections. When I stood for election in 2007 my team and I door knocked over 10,000 homes in the seat of Forde. We achieved a much higher than average swing to the National Party on Election Day.

In addition to my door knocking residents at the 2007 Federal Election, at the 2004 and 2008 Council elections I door knocked every single home in my electorate.

As the size of electorates increase we have to find new and innovative ways to get our message out to local voters.

The great news is that the 35-45 age group is the generation taking up social media websites such as facebook the most. A recent story in the Sunday Mail outlines how different generations are finding benefits with using facebook.

Read this story; 11.10.2009 Sunday Mail, 'After scrabbling around I get facebook', pg 53

I would encourage all branch members to set up a facebook page and assist us with getting our message out to younger generations.

It is unlikely that we’ll ever catch our younger generations at home when we’re door knocking as they’re either working or out having fun.

The key to ‘winning over’ our younger generations is utilising the technology they use to communicate; blogs, facebook, and mobile phones. It also helps if the person communicating with them is of their generation, as generation X and Y are quick to judge and don’t trust easy.