Ben & Jerry’s is offering free scoops tomorrow – but there’s a catch

Posted on 19 February, 2019

This Wednesday, ANU students can stroll across campus and grab themselves a free scoop of Ben & Jerry’s. 

But not if they aren’t enrolled to vote.

As part of the American ice cream company’s partnership with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC), free scoops will be offered on campuses across Australia in exchange for checking if students are on the federal electoral roll.

Despite compulsory voting in Australia, it is estimated that in the last election over a quarter of a million eligible voters aged 18-24 were not enrolled to vote* and participation rates were below the national average at 86.7%.

“Climate action is beyond urgent in Australia and many of our politicians seem to have brain freeze when it comes to strong policies and meaningful climate action,” says Kent Hildred, Ben & Jerry’s ANZ Social Mission Manager who clearly loves an ice-cream related pun or two.

“Today’s younger generations are the ones that are going to be living with the direct negative impacts of our climate crisis which is why they are so rightfully concerned. But worrying doesn’t get you very far. We can all turn our fears into action by making sure you can vote and then turning that vote into one for the planet.”

If you’re keen on a free scoop, head on down to ANU campus this Wednesday 20 February from 10 am – 4 pm and look for the ice cream bike (yes, we said bike).

*Source: Australian Electoral Commission