By Denis Hay
Charlotte Walker’s election sparks hope for youth representation in politics. Discover how young leaders are reshaping Australia’s political future.
I want to represent those who are often unheard, said Charlotte Walker in her victory speech, her voice quivering with passion, framed by a sea of waving red banners and hopeful young faces.
It was a brisk autumn night in 2025, and something extraordinary happened: Australia elected one of its youngest-ever federal representatives. Charlotte Walker, 23, a member of the Australian Labor Party, won a seat long held by a senior backbencher. But this wasn’t just about one candidate. Her victory reflected a deeper, growing momentum – a surge of youth representation in Australian politics. For many, it felt like the start of a revolution that had long been delayed.
Charlotte’s political roots can be traced back to grassroots climate activism. At 15, she organised her first school strike for climate justice in Brisbane. By the age of 18, she was delivering speeches at rallies and leading digital campaigns calling for more accessible housing and mental health services.
Walker is a rising star within the Labor Party. Her campaign embraced bold, youth-focused policies while staying within the broader party platform.
However, many of her policy priorities, including aggressive action on climate change, a transition away from fossil fuels, and protections for natural ecosystems, stand in stark contrast to recent decisions made by the Labor government, such as continued support for gas expansion and delays in scaling up renewable infrastructure.
She represents a new generation of Labor leaders pushing for reforms on climate action, housing affordability, and youth mental health support.
Her election may also signal a turning point for Labor’s stance on environmental policy. With her strong record of climate advocacy, many are watching to see whether she can push the party to take more decisive action on renewables and environmental protection.
Will she hold firm to her values, especially where they appear to conflict with Labor’s current support for coal and gas projects? Her ability to influence environmental policy from within may prove a litmus test for whether the party is truly responsive to its younger base, or remains captured by legacy interests.
That tension could define both her political future and the credibility of Labor’s commitment to environmental reform.
Quote: “We didn’t just want to win a seat. We wanted to shift the conversation.”
In 2022, the median age of Australian federal MPs was 51, while the median age of Australians was 38. Even more glaring? Less than 5% of elected representatives were under the age of 30.
This disconnect matters. Policies are often created by people far removed from the real-time challenges that younger Australians face, including soaring rental prices, mounting HECS debt, and insecure work. As a result, laws often overlook or misunderstand the realities of youth.
Story Element: Meet Liam, a 26-year-old university graduate juggling two casual jobs in Melbourne while living with his parents. “I keep hearing politicians talk about young people, but it never feels like they talk to us.”
Samantha, 21, has never cast a vote. “What’s the point? Nothing changes.” Her story mirrors growing apathy. But it’s not apathy from indifference – it’s born from decades of policies that ignore youth priorities.
* High cost of campaigning
* Media bias and age discrimination
* Patronising attitudes in established political parties
These systemic issues deter capable and passionate young people from entering the field of politics. Worse, they make voters cynical about political change altogether.
1. Climate Crisis: Gen Z views climate change as an existential threat. Inaction from older politicians has mobilised young leaders to step up.
2. Cost of Living Crisis: Skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, and HECS debt push many into activism.
3. Mental Health and Social Justice: The pandemic intensified youth mental health issues. Cuts to services have ignited calls for reform.
4. Distrust in Major Parties: Many view the ALP and LNP as captured by corporate interests, though emerging Labor figures like Walker show shifts are possible within traditional parties.
In the lead-up to the 2025 federal election:
* Youth enrolment reached a record high
* Voter turnout for 18-24-year-olds surged by 14%
* At least six candidates under 30 ran serious campaigns, with three winning seats
Quote: “TikTok was our press conference. Discord was our policy platform,” said Josh Nguyen, another 2025 youth candidate.
Gen Z:
* Prioritise climate, equity, and housing justice
* Distrust corporate lobbying
* Value transparency and community-first economics
Reference 1: Gen Z Reference 2: Youth Discrimination
Boomers:
* Prioritise stability, homeownership, and economic growth
* Higher trust in traditional parties
This clash of priorities is reshaping elections and political engagement across the nation.
* Media Framing: Portrayed as inexperienced or naive
* Fundraising Disadvantages: Less access to corporate donors
* Institutional Gatekeeping: Older party members controlling preselection processes
Yet, many overcome this by building community support, embracing crowdfunding, and running as independents or pushing within existing party structures.
* Tomorrow Movement: Advocates for climate jobs and housing reform (Reference)
* School Strike 4 Climate: Continues to influence public discourse (Reference)
* Voices For Independents: Young organisers driving Teal-style campaigns
These groups are not only mobilising youth – they’re reshaping what politics looks like.
Australia issues its own currency. That means it can never run out of dollars to fund programs that serve the public interest. So why is austerity still the default?
Key Point: Instead of pretending the budget is like a household, we should be investing in:
* Free education
* Affordable public housing
* Guaranteed youth employment programs
Quote: “There is no financial reason a sovereign government should let young people fall through the cracks. It’s a policy choice, not an economic necessity.”
1. Lower the Voting Age to 16: Let politically engaged teens shape the future they’ll inherit.
2. Political Education in Schools: Teach how government works and how to engage.
3. Election Reform: Cap campaign spending and open access to public campaign funding.
4. Mentorship Programs: Pair experienced MPs with new youth leaders.
Youth representation in Australian politics is no longer a fringe demand – it’s a democratic necessity. As more young leaders like Charlotte Walker take the stage within parties like Labor, they bring lived experience, urgency, and ideas that reflect the challenges of our time.
The future of our democracy depends on breaking down the barriers that exclude young Australians and investing in policies that allow everyone, regardless of age, to thrive.
Q1: Why does youth representation matter?
Because policy decisions made today will impact the lives of young Australians for decades, having their voices at the table ensures fairer and more inclusive policies.
Q2: How can I get involved in politics as a young person?
Start local. Join youth-led campaigns, attend council meetings, volunteer for candidates who align with your values, or start a community petition.
Q3: What is Australia’s dollar sovereignty, and why is it important?
It means Australia can fund public programs without needing to ‘find’ money. It enables us to invest in education, housing, and climate change mitigation without burdening future generations.
If you found this article insightful, explore more on political reform and Australia’s monetary sovereignty at Social Justice Australia.
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View Comments
Great to see young people enter parliament. I was just trying to find the senate results, thinking I saw a report that a 21 year old woman has won the sixth seat in South Australia. Again a Labor win.
While I can absolutely agree with the case for environmental responsibility and the need for clean energy, it is also important to recognise that change has to be progressive, it cannot come at the flick of the fingers, the transition to renewables will see the continued need for other means of generation of power, hence the ongoing need for gas both domestically and in overseas markets.
The key word is TRANSITION as opposed to an immediate switch
I am a boomers' mother , but my priorities match those of the younger voters , sice l have long worried about these very issues . Our Aussie values have too often slipped backward and to the right.
Yeah nah happened before, but issues with related Conversation article:
'In the 2025 election, gen Z and millennial voters outnumbered older generations*'
*If old gens are solely boomers as they suggest, but disappears millions of Gen X and silent gens who are enrolled to vote?
You can see from AEC electorate age break downs of enrolment data, how the oldest cohorts, 70+ years are generally the biggest cohort and representing mid point of the boomer bomb demographic (with silent gens on top); more marked in regions.
https://www.aec.gov.au/enrolling_to_vote/enrolment_stats/elector_count/2025/elector-count-fe-2025.pdf