Let the election begin. It’s going to be weird and wonderful along the way I’m sure. After all, this year’s Federal Election is a race between a ranga and a guy with a predilection for budgies (unfortunately not the tweeting kind).

Speaking of tweets or twits, or whatever they are called – the internet and social media are going to play an increasing role in the Australian Federal Election.

In 2010, Vibewire is covering the election race by getting young people to tell it how they see it. Teams of talented young video reporters have been assembled from all across Australia to tell the political story their way. ElectionWIRE, hosted on YouTube, will be a space where you can watch their reports unfold.

With videos posted daily on the ElectionWIRE channel (www.youtube.com/youthscape) see what our team make of the new contenders and their attitudes to the environment, global affairs, education and the future.

Kevin Rudd captured the imagination of young Australians, booting Howard out of Bennelong and achieving victory in 2007. Is this election going to have the same buzz for young Australians?

Right now I’m heading up to Brisbane to train four third-year journalism students about how to shoot videos for the project. See these bright minds on electionWIRE before they make it big as news presenters, which I’m sure they will some day. Then I’m back to my hometown in Melbourne to see our team there who have been busy bees making a video with a very local flavour. I can’t say any more . . . but I hope you’ll log in and see this innovative project evolve. I know as one of the managing editors, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

Main page image “grandmaster FLAX ~ II” courtesy striatic @ Flickr.com