Australia's youngest-ever senator goes back to school
The South Australian senator attended Senate school on Wednesday, learning the ropes with the other new senators. They will all take their places in the upper house chamber on July 22, when federal parliament sits for the first time since the national poll.
At an age when many of her peers are enjoying university life, Walker said she was focused on driving policies to reduce student debt, improve housing affordability, reduce domestic violence and improve access to government services in regional areas.
'The biggest issue with getting into the housing market is saving for that down payment,' she said.
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'I'm really looking forward to getting out and talking to local people, making sure that we have proper regional representation in our parliament.'
Walker grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, studied at the University of Adelaide and took a job with the Australian Services Union. She will now switch to a full-time job as a politician, but one less than half as old as the average member of parliament, who is 50 years old.
'Growing up in the country, I didn't see myself in the parliament, so that's definitely a priority of mine,' she said.
'Another issue I saw a lot of growing up is domestic violence. The lack of access to services really saw that issue maximised.'
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