Where are the young people?

In the build up to yet another state election, I wonder, where is the youth? 

Representation is really important to shape our collective future, yet so frequently it is being shaped by people out of touch with the needs, desires and dreams of young people.

There has been increasing pressure from the community to have equal gender representation with some parties introducing quotas to ensure equal representation and equal opportunity for both sexes. But no one is talking about the equally important notion of representation in age. 

In the Federal Parliament the average age is just over 50 years old yet the average age of the Australian population is 37. In fact, just six people under 30 have served in the Australian House of Representatives in the last 120 years. 

In recent times Wyatt Roy was elected at age 20, while Christian Zebra was elected aged 25 in 1998. Then you need to track back to Andrew Jones (22) elected in 1966 and Charles Falkinder (25) in 1946. Finally, Hubert Lazzarini (25) and Edwin Corby (22) in 1919 and 1918 respectively.

In Hobart City where the average age is 37, your representation is skewed toward 50s and 60s, with some members sitting almost as long as I’ve been alive. In reality, when I turn 37 in October, there will not be any elected members below the average age of the city, with only Will Coats (37) and I under 40 years old.

So why is it we don’t see younger politicians? Party machinery is often set up to favour people who have been around for a while, have the support of members and can get the numbers. Take Eric Abetz’s recent nomination for preselection as an example. Surely there are people within the Liberal party who want to step up and be given a chance to make their contribution. Yet, they will be overlooked in favour of the older statesmen, who has already had his say for the last 30 years. 

The resources required to run in any election are significant. It’s not unusual to see personal expenditure of $50,000 for state and federal elections, which most young people don’t have lying around. However, Councils are a wonderful place to start. At the last election, some councils in Tasmania didn’t even have an election because so few people put up their hand. So, it is possible to get elected with limited means and have your say.

Why is it so important? At every level of government, elected members are making decisions that impact our future. And who has the longest future ahead of them? Our young people! So why don’t we want the people who have the most skin in the game to be a part of decision making? 

Why don’t we allow 16-18 year olds to vote if they want to? Maybe this would result in the young, energetic candidates getting elected rather than the members whose chairs are shaped to their backsides they’ve been there so long. Maybe it would result in meaningful policy change that lifts our youth to a better future.

And it's not just about young adults. This view also goes to the future of families. 20% of the Hobart population is under 18. The needs of infants, toddlers, children, tweens and teens are unique, yet we so often neglect them in our planning across all government levels. Why? Because they don’t have a voice because their parents are too busy to even consider a run at public office.

That’s why it's so important we make changes that support busy Mum’s and Dad’s to stand for council or parliament. People who are living the day-to-day juggle that is family life. People who understand the importance of childcare for meaningful lives for the whole family, people who see the need for a family friendly city, people who innately know what these age groups need to thrive and what their parents need to survive.

So at the next election, consider whether you can run? How can you make a difference to the future you and your mates will live? Do you think you have what it takes? And if you don’t want to be a public figure, then go along to a few party meetings, work out which party aligns to your views and sign up.

Lastly, give the young candidates a go at the next election when you place your vote.

Ryan Posselt is a Paramedic with two children under 4 and Councillor at City of Hobart