It's only short sighted if people are educated and motivated and chose not to go and vote regardless. But I don't think that's what happened. A key part of educating people about progressive causes and initiatives is running progressive campaigns and motivating people to get involved in those campaigns or to support them. If competing major parties run on right wing platforms whether it be in the US or Australia or anywhere where parliamentary politics is dominated by a parliamentary duopoly then it should come as no surprise that folks who are not inspired by right wing politics don't get involved in anything and don't get educated or informed about other progressive causes etc.