Latest news with #youthpolitics
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Australia elects its youngest senator EVER who will pick up a huge salary - but many can't help but ask the same question
A woman who turned 21 on the day of Australia's federal election in May has been declared the nation's youngest ever senator. Charlotte Walker, a former union official, won Labor's third Senate seat for South Australia - an unexpected result in the preferential voting system, where third-ranked candidates rarely succeed. She had the lowest vote count of the six newly elected senators for the state. The Australian Electoral Commission officially declared the poll Tuesday. The new job will be a 'big adjustment,' said Walker, who starts her six-year term July 1. A federal lawmaker's base salary is more than $205,000 annually. 'There's a few feelings. Obviously, there's a lot of pressure,' Walker told Australian Broadcasting Corp. after the results were announced late Monday. 'I want to do a good job for South Australians, but I also want to show young people, particularly young women, that this is achievable and this is something that they can do also. I'm also really excited. Not many people my age get to … go to Canberra and have the ability to contribute in the way that I will,' she added. However, her historic win hasn't been welcomed by everyone. Some Australians have voiced concern, arguing that at just 21, Walker lacks the life experience needed for such a major role in parliament. 'Nothing personal, but sorry, at 21, few people have the wisdom, maturity, life experience, understanding of fundamental issues of the society, knowledge of the nation's and world's history to make a sound decision,' one said. 'I'm all for 21 year olds having a go, but she's never worked in the private sector, never managed a small business and probably never had a mortgage,' a second added. 'Good on her and she certainly seems a go getter. I'd love to see her apply these skills to a real career. 'Instead, she becomes yet another professional politician with no life or business experience making decisions about the future of the country - this is what is wrong with Australian politics,' a third said. Others suggested she was a refreshing change. 'Don't succumb to old "experienced" colleagues and office politics - you are representing people,' one said. 'Good on her - maybe she can now represent the generation in her cohort which has been missing in Parliament,' a second added. 'Gotta start somewhere. So long as she doesn't think she knows everything remains teachable and works hard,' a third said. Before Walker, the youngest senator was Jordon Steele-John of the Greens party, who was elected for Western Australia state in 2017 at the age of 23. Australia's youngest-ever federal lawmaker was Wyatt Roy, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 at the age of 20. He lasted two three-year terms before he was voted out of his Queensland state seat.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
I just want to help Lancaster, says new 18-year-old councillor
A student who has been elected as a councillor in Lancaster, has told how he made the move out of a desire to make a difference to his Wilson Colley will represent the Green Party in the city's John O'Gaunt ward, getting almost double the votes of his nearest rival in the recent said he joined the party after feeling "very disappointed with the performance of the main parties in government" who were not offering "any real hope of real change"."We're the only party offering a real alternative to austerity", said the first-year law and politics student at Lancaster University. He said: "I found myself doing work with the Greens in John O'Gaunt, particularly helping out in alley cleans and door knocking, asking about issues."I found out that I really enjoyed this community work and I would like to do it in a more official capacity. "The opportunity came up that we needed a candidate, I stood and got chosen." 'Young people crucial' Wilson, who credited his passion for politics down to his father's influence, continued: "Don't get me wrong it is laborious and at times dull, I don't think anyone on the council can deny that, but it is important so I feel like that justifies the time and effort put in."I can't say that I will enjoy every aspect of the work - some of it will be gruelling and bureaucratic, but it is necessary and it needs to be done correctly. "By getting in, I can ensure that it is done in that manner."Beyond his current life as a student, Wilson says he has not thought too much about a long-term career in politics."Ultimately, I want to help my community as best I can, he said."I want to help advance the Green Party's agenda, so we will see how that leads me in the future."Young people in politics is of course not unheard of. Labour MP Sam Carling was just 22 when he won his seat last year in north-west Cambridgeshire, and Wilson believes young voices in politics is crucial. "There has been less participation amongst the youth, which is a very concerning thing," he said."We feel the effects of current policy in the long term, whereas many of those in politics may not. "It is crucial that youth have a significant voice on government in every level."On his current to-do list, Wilson admits the issues will be typical of most city councillors. "We've got issues of littering, fly tipping and dog muck. Just standard stuff that we deal with," he said."I believe politics on a community level is really where change can happen"However, he admits he is not quite yet done with the student life too. "Becoming a councillor has meant that I will sacrifice a fair amount of my spare time, but I'll be sure to make a little bit of time for the student lifestyle." he said. "Even if it is a bit calmer and more civilised". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Nurul Izzah: PKR must woo youth voters through community outreach for GE16
BUKIT MERTAJAM, May 19 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) needs to strengthen its machinery and woo the public with community programmes for young voters to gain their support in the upcoming 16th general election (GE16). Its vice-president, Nurul Izzah Anwar said a study conducted showed that 68 per cent of youth were not interested in politics, so the party had a role to take on this challenge. 'We understand, they (the 18-year-old voters) vote based on who their friends choose, if they hear their parents voting for Party A, they would vote for Party C, they won't follow, they want to rebel. This is the challenge we face. 'When we talk in the context of the 68 per cent of youth not interested in politics, this means we need to ensure that the community programme jibes with their spirit,' she said during her speech at the party's North Zone grassroots outreach programme at Dewan Ng Yam Huat here tonight, in the presence of PKR Women's Chief Fadhlina Sidek and Penang state leadership council deputy chairman Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid. Nurul Izzah, who is contesting the deputy president's post for the 2025-2028 session, also reminded members not to forget the party's history that had met and overcome various challenges since its founding on April 4, 1999. When asked about a suggested debate between her and her rival Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, she said she would focus more on meeting the party grassroots in the last five days before the party election. Nurul Izzah also stressed that she wanted to focus on GE16 and several upcoming state elections, something she described as more important than party elections. Nurul Izzah and Rafizi will be contesting the PKR deputy party presidency at the party elections next week. — Bernama
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New Onchan Commissioner wants to be a voice for young people
The youngest local authority member on the Isle of Man has said she would like to "be a voice" for her age group. Gabriella Corkish, 19, was elected as an Onchan Commissioner in the recent local authority elections, and will hold the role of Onchan School Education Representative for a grown up around politics, Corkish is the granddaughter of Geoff Corkish, who was elected as an MHK in 2006 and later became an said: "Young people don't have a say very much in politics purely because they don't know who to talk, or maybe who their MHKs are, who their commissioners are, or how to get in touch with them." 'Do what is right' "I want to be an open, approachable person that can do what's right for the community," she said, adding that she hoped to "be a voice for younger people".She said she had always taken an interest in politics and studied Government and Politics at AS said she wanted to look at how to improve Onchan Park for the teenagers in the village, but also to improve sheltered accommodation for older people."I want to make my mark, help the community but also be a fresh face for the future," she who currently works at the Welcome Centre, said she would look in the future to join the House of Keys or Legislative Council, but added "being a commissioner is a good place to start". "If you're passionate about something and you care about your community and how things are run" then commissioners was "the way to go.""I hope that me doing this does get people involved," she added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
