If I were a Gen Zer, Questions Our Leaders Must Answer for a Better Future

By Sue Barrett

I don’t know where you were Christmas 2019-2020 when Australia was literally going up in flames and Scomo was in Hawaii and wouldn’t hold a hose. Well. I was on my couch having what felt like my millionth existential crisis wondering yet again where was the action; the accountability; the leadership on climate, integrity, equality, fairness, and all the things that matter to us all. This dread, this angst, this deep frustration and anger has not left me, in fact it has only escalated since.

As the mother of two Gen Z children, I find myself constantly reflecting and worrying about on the kind of world we are leaving behind for them. When I see leaders like Peter Dutton and the broader two-party system still prioritising division over unity, privilege over equity, and vested interests over the public good, I can’t help but wonder: have they forgotten who they answer to? Have they forgotten or do they simply not care that their decisions today will ripple into the lives of not only this generation but generations to come?

Gen Z, I see, feel, and hear your frustration. I’ve been living my own version of your angst since my early 20s which is why I’ve spent years doing my bit for climate action, equality, working on strengthening democracy, fostering community independence, and challenging the rent-seeking behaviour of the elite, but right now, I am listening to you, our young people, and I want our political and business leaders to start listening to what you’re experiencing, feeling, saying, and wanting.

What I’m hearing is not a lack of resilience or resolve; it’s raw honesty, an urgent call for fairness, and a deep concern for a world that seems increasingly stacked against you.

What older generations fail to understand

Too often, those who advocate for more grit, resilience, or positivity in our younger people as the ultimate solution fail to understand the systemic barriers young people face today. Older generations, shaped by their own experiences of economic and social prosperity, often see the world through a lens of relative privilege. They benefited from affordable housing, accessible education, and thriving job markets – conditions that have all but vanished for many young people.

This disconnect underestimates the structural inequities and challenges that have worsened over time, leaving today’s youth to navigate a world that feels increasingly rigged against them. While previous generations enjoyed widespread opportunities, too many fail to recognise how drastically those advantages have diminished. Today’s youth inherit a system plagued by worsening climate conditions, economic instability, and widening inequality – the consequences of decisions made long before they had a voice and a vote.

Instead of evolving to address these issues, many policies have remained stagnant or doubled down on outdated approaches that exacerbate these problems, leaving young people feeling dismissed and unheard. This growing frustration arises from a sense of being ignored while the evidence of worsening conditions – from climate change to economic instability and deepening inequality – has accumulated over decades. For the past 40 to 50 years, the trajectory has been clear: for most people, especially the young, opportunities and security have eroded rather than improved.

So, let’s make this clear: we need a major step change

Our collective future depends on creating a sustainable, liveable world for all, not just the privileged few. And for that to happen, we need leaders who are willing to listen deeply, understand the realities of today, and take bold steps to reimagine a better future. We need leaders who look forward to a brighter, more inclusive world – not those stuck in the past, clinging to outdated ideas and systems.

Our Leaders Must Listen, Act, and Step Aside if They Can’t Deliver.

Peter Dutton’s Politics of Division

Under Peter Dutton’s leadership, the Opposition has doubled down on fear and division, offering no real policies that pave the way to a brighter future for younger Australians. Instead of addressing urgent issues like climate change, housing affordability, and social equity, Dutton amplifies prejudices against women, immigrants, minorities, and First Nations Australians. His proposals, such as a misguided push for nuclear energy, distract from viable and immediate solutions like renewable energy – solutions that are critical to combating the climate crisis. Nuclear energy, with its exorbitant costs, lengthy implementation timelines, and unresolved waste management issues, is a folly that props up the fossil fuel industry further delaying real progress. Dutton’s divisive rhetoric and backward-looking approach undermine trust in leadership and fail to provide the vision and action required to secure a sustainable and equitable future for all. His is a policy-free zone.

What kind of future does this offer Gen Z – a generation already grappling with the existential threat of climate change, an economy stacked against them, and deepening systemic inequities? They deserve more than empty rhetoric and outdated solutions. They need leaders who are willing to unite us, think boldly, and tackle these complex challenges with clear, forward-thinking policies. Leaders who refuse to do so are failing not only Gen Z but the future of Australia itself.

They need to step aside if they can’t deliver.

The Two-Party System: Stuck in the Past

Australia’s two-party system has become an echo chamber, more concerned with internal squabbles and appeasing vested interests than listening to the broader community. Both major parties have fallen into a pattern of short-termism, catering to the demands of big donors, rent-seeking corporations especially the fossil fuel industry while ignoring the voices of ordinary Australians.

In response to this stagnation, we are witnessing the rise of *community independents – leaders who are rooted in their communities, genuinely listening to people’s concerns, and pushing for practical, inclusive solutions. These independents are not beholden to party politics or the influence of big donors, which allows them to focus on addressing real issues that matter to Australians. Their efforts are already making a tangible difference, particularly for Gen Zs and Millennials, by:

• Advocating for reforms to ease the burden of student debt, including addressing the unsustainable growth of HECS/HELP debt.
• Pushing for bold climate action to create a sustainable future, ensuring younger generations are not left to inherit an unliveable planet.
• Highlighting the need for affordable housing policies that enable young people to aspire to home ownership.
• Championing greater accountability in government to ensure decisions are made for the public good, not corporate interests.
• Amplifying the voices of young Australians in policy discussions, making sure their concerns are heard and acted upon.
• Advocating for media reform and restrictions on gambling advertising to protect vulnerable people, especially children and young people who are increasingly being targeted by harmful practices.

These independents challenge the status quo by prioritising the needs of their constituents over party politics, offering a refreshing alternative to the gridlock and complacency of the major parties. Their emergence signals a growing desire for a political system that is more accountable, transparent, and responsive to the real issues facing Australians today.

When was the last time our leaders truly listened to young people?

When did they prioritise creating a fairer, more inclusive society over preserving the status quo? In contrast, community independents are proving that it is possible to reimagine politics as a vehicle for progress rather than stagnation. They are amplifying the voices of young people, advocating for bold climate action, equitable opportunities, and a society that works for everyone.

Gen Z, this is the two-party system you’ve inherited: one dominated by entrenched power, but one that is being challenged by grassroots movements and community independent representatives offering a path forward.

Questions Our Leaders Must Answer

If I were a Gen Zer, here’s what I would want to know from the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and their parties:

1. Climate Crisis:
   • Why are you still approving new fossil fuel projects when science tells us we must phase them out to secure a liveable future?
   • What’s your plan to ensure Australia becomes a global leader in renewable energy and climate resilience?
   • How will you leverage the renewable energy economy to create sound policies and sustainable jobs for Australians, particularly for younger generations?
2. Equity and Inclusion:
   • How will you address the systemic barriers faced by women, First Nations Australians, and other marginalised communities who have been left behind by the two-party system and rigged structures?
   • How will you address the marginalisation of young men and boys, who often feel excluded from national discourse and overlooked by policies that fail to meet their specific needs?
   • Why do you allow divisive rhetoric to dominate our national discourse, instead of fostering unity and inclusivity for all Australians?
3. Accessible Basics for All:
   • What steps will you take to ensure education is affordable and accessible to all Australians?
   • How will you reform healthcare to make it equitable and available to everyone, regardless of their circumstances?
   • What policies will you implement to create meaningful job opportunities, especially for young Australians trying to build secure and fulfilling futures?
4. Economic Justice:
   • What’s your plan to tackle housing affordability and ensure that young Australians can aspire to secure homes?
   • How will you stop the unchecked rent-seeking behaviours of corporations that erode public wealth and deepen inequality?
5. Democracy and Accountability:
   • How will you ensure that political donations and corporate influence don’t dictate government policies?
   • Have you forgotten that you answer to the people, not vested interests? What will you do to rebuild trust and integrity in our democracy?
6. A Better Future for All:
   • What’s your vision for a fairer, more sustainable, and inclusive Australia? If you don’t have one, why are you in leadership?

 

If They Can’t Answer, They Need to Get Out of the Way

If our leaders can’t answer these questions with clarity, conviction, and courage, then it’s time for them to step aside. Gen Z, and indeed all Australians, need leaders who understand that their mandate is to serve the public good, not protect the privileged few. We need leaders who prioritise the long-term health of our planet, our society, and our economy over short-term political gains.

A Call for Action

To the young people of Australia: your voices matter. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Demand answers. Hold our leaders accountable. If they refuse to listen, work together to amplify your message, support community independents, and build grassroots movements that challenge the status quo.

To my fellow older adults: we owe it to Gen Z to be better. We need to demand that our political system evolves to meet the needs of our time. This isn’t just their fight; it’s ours too. Together, we can create a future where unity triumphs over division, where sustainability guides our actions, and where every Australian has a fair shot at success.

Our leaders have forgotten that they answer to us. Let’s remind them. And if they’re not up to the task, let’s pave the way for new leaders who are.

Onward we press.

Links & References

• *A list of community independent candidates for the 2025 Australian federal election: Not Shit Candidates

1. Climate Change & Youth Activism
   • IPCC Reports (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change): Global consensus on the urgent need for climate action.
   • Fridays for Future Movement: Youth-led activism inspired by Greta Thunberg.
2. Economic Inequities
   • Grattan Institute: Reports on intergenerational wealth gaps and housing affordability.
   • Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS): Data on housing, employment, and education challenges for young Australians.
3. HECS/HELP Debt and Education
   • The Conversation: Articles on the growing burden of student debt in Australia.
   • Universities Australia: Reports on the state of tertiary education funding.

4. The Two-Party System and Political Accountability
   • Democracy in Decline by John Keane: Examines the global decline in trust in political systems.
   • Transparency International: Reports on the role of vested interests in policymaking.
5. Community Independents and Grassroots Movements
   • Voices for Indi: A case study in how community independents can transform politics.
   • The rise of the “Teal Independents” in Australia: Coverage from The Guardianand ABC News.
6. Policy-Free Zones and Leadership Challenges
   • Sean Kelly (The Sydney Morning Herald): Commentary on Australian political leadership and the need for substantive policy.
   • The Australia Institute: Research on the failure of major parties to address key policy issues.

7. Youth Frustrations and Disenfranchisement
   • Mission Australia: Youth survey reports highlighting the priorities and concerns of Gen Z.
   • Australian Youth Climate Coalition: Advocacy for young Australians in climate policy.

This article was originally published on Sue Barrett.

 

 

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