Many young Australians feel underrepresented in politics, but Canberrans under 21 can have their say in Federal Parliament next month as part of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign.
Young people can submit a 90-second speech on the topic “What should Australia’s new parliament accomplish?” by Wednesday 19 October.
The ACT’s five federal politicians will read the chosen speeches during Youth Voice in Parliament week, 21 to 24 November.
Nearly 80 other politicians from every state and territory, and from across the political spectrum, will read speeches from young people in their electorates.
“The nonpartisan initiative endeavours to increase the political literacy of all our young voters and voters-to-be,” explained Ashleigh Streeter-Jones, CEO of Raise Our Voice Australia, which is running the campaign with UNICEF Australia and the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition.
“We know that young people are passionate about making change, but don’t feel represented in our politics,” Ms Streeter-Jones said.
There are four million young people in Australia, but only three federal politicians under the age of 30: Senator Jordon Steele-John, 27 (Greens, WA), Senator Fatma Payman, 27 (Labor, WA), and Stephen Bates MP, 29 (Greens, QLD).
When the campaign was run for the first time last year, participants gave an average rating of 3.5 out of 10 to young people’s representation in politics. Similarly, more than a third of young Australians have little confidence in Australia’s current approach to solving global challenges. Young women and gender diverse people are less likely to be represented.
“Young people don’t see themselves represented in politics and national decision-making, and we don’t do enough to make politics accessible or to teach young people about our political system,” Ms Streeter-Jones said.
The answer, she believes, is clear and tailored communication, and tangible action on issues young people care about – particularly the climate and equality, the two most-written about issues last year.
Then, more than 600 speeches were submitted, and 69 politicians read 125 speeches.
After the campaign, 92 per cent of respondents said that participating in the campaign made them more likely to participate in politics in the future.
Sujaan, then 11, wrote a speech about climate change and deforestation, which Senator Katy Gallagher read out.
“I took part because I am passionate about having my voice heard in parliament, and speaking about issues I think are important,” he said.
“As a young person, climate change is a big issue of concern for me… The sooner we act, the better we can help make the future for the generations that come after us, and the sooner the adult generation acts, the better they can make it for us.”
He said it was “really exciting” to have his speech read by a local politician, and he felt proud his speech was chosen, “especially knowing that it had been shared with the people who are elected to make changes on how these issues are dealt with in the real world”.
This was not his first experience of politics; in 2017, at the age of seven, he gave a speech in an urban planning event organised by Suzanne Orr MLA. He has also taken part in school strikes and protests for climate change.
“Even though kids can’t vote, they can engage with politics in other ways,” he said.
But taking part in Raise Our Voice, he said, made him think more about politics, and got him more involved. This year, he was elected one of his school’s two prime ministers.
“I was definitely hopeful, but Raise Our Voice has definitely given me so much hope for the next generation of politics.”
Alicia Payne MP, like Senator Gallagher, will also take part in Raise Our Voice for the second time.
“This campaign is so important because it gives young Australians a platform to be heard in the Federal Parliament, and bring topics they are passionate about to the attention of Australia’s decision-makers,” she said.
Last year, she read a speech by Nick Barker, then 18, about youth homelessness.
“Nick is a very impressive young man who is turning his own experience into advocacy for the right of all Australians to have a place to call home,” Ms Payne said.
“I chose Nick’s speech because I believe preventing homelessness should be a priority for governments, and Nick’s speech, written from his own experience, made this point very powerfully. At the time, the previous government weren’t doing anything to address youth homelessness. I’m proud that Labor made housing a key part of our election platform, including building 30,000 new social and affordable dwellings, and developing a national strategy on housing and homelessness.”
Ms Payne was concerned to hear Nick is still experiencing insecure housing, as she said in her recent speech about the housing crisis.
The Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign is open to anyone aged 21 or under living in Australia. Speech submissions close on Wednesday 19 October.
Speeches should be around 200 words. Raise Our Voice Australia will work with participating MPs and Senators to review applications. MPs and Senators will have the final say on the speech they choose.
“Young people should grab the opportunity to have their speech about an issue important to them read in parliament,” Ms Payne said.
“It’s a great opportunity to have your and other young peoples’ voices heard,” Sujaan said. “Getting involved in politics is a good way to express passion on topics like climate change.”
For a full list of participating MPs, further information, or to submit a speech, visit www.raiseourvoiceaustralia.com/youthvoice.
Raise Our Voice Australia is a social enterprise providing training, mentoring, and opportunities in politics and policy for young people, especially women, non-binary people, and those from marginalised backgrounds. Ms Streeter-Jones has been recognised by Forbes and the Australian Financial Review for her work in getting more young women into politics.
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