And perhaps in the best indication yet of a rapidly and sustainably changing political landscape, these young politicians are finding success in the Australian Parliament. Notably, Wyatt Roy became the youngest individual ever elected when he secured a seat in the House of Representatives at the age of 20. This historic accomplishment broke a more than 100-year-old record held by Edwin Corboy, who was 22 years old when he was elected in 1918. It also set an inspirational new precedent of youth representation in government.
Wyatt Roy’s success has electrified a new generation of young would-be politicians. One of the most promising is Sarah Hanson-Young, who in 2007 became the youngest woman ever elected by the Australian public. Average age of parliamentarians (in the last sitting of the last session) was 52 years old. Yet Roy’s short record and Hanson-Young’s federal victory provide a glimpse at a demographic change occurring within the political environment. Fatima Payman at 27 made a splash when she was elected during the last session. Now, troubled over what she calls her party’s betrayal on the war on Gaza, she has made the leap to leave the Labor Party and is now poised to form her political party, Australia’s Voice.
In this piece, we explore these young leaders’ experiences and the ways in which their very presence has changed the political landscape.
Wyatt Roy’s Historic Election
Wyatt Roy made history when he entered Parliament as a 20-year-old, marking a significant milestone for youth engagement in politics. He recalls his initial experience, stating, “When I first got elected, it was quite obvious that I was different to everybody.” Despite the pushback Roy, who was in his late 20s at the time, was largely supported by the fire personnel around him. “They embraced me as the youngest person in the corridors of power,” he remembered.
Roy’s campaign was marred by ageist comments, such as “don’t trust a learner in Longman.” Even so, he found a way to make space for himself. Regarding his childhood, he said it gave him special opportunities that may not have been available in other settings made possible by his youth. “It probably took me maybe six months or 12 months after the election before you realised the scale of what you’re doing,” he reflected.
His tenure also afforded him the opportunities of a lifetime to remind him why it is critical to include youth voices in decision-making processes. “There were many moments where people would look to me and say, ‘well, you’re the only person in the room who’s going to be here when this decision is impacting the country,’” he explained.
The Challenges Faced by Young Women
The stories of young women working in Parliament present an image of advancement as well as issues still to be tackled. Sarah Hanson-Young, who was elected at just 25, encountered major challenges during her first years in Parliament. She noted that being a young woman in politics nearly two decades ago meant she “had a target on her back.” Aside from the ageism and sexualization she faced, these sexist barriers were the biggest hurdles.
Hanson-Young said it was crucial to stand up and call out this sort of conduct. “As a young person, and you’re really trying to prove yourself… you don’t want to be the one who’s complaining,” she said. But soon, she found that pretending these issues didn’t exist didn’t make them go away. “I learned the hard way that, actually, it doesn’t stop … and pretending it’s not there doesn’t make it better,” she added.
“My daughter is now 18, and I see how she and her peers speak up for themselves,” she stated. This understanding fosters a more just and equitable society in which everyone can enjoy their boundaries.
The Rise of Fatima Payman and New Perspectives
Fatima Payman’s hijab-wearing entry into Australian politics as a senator marks diversity in Australian political representation. At barely 27, Payman was elected and soon became disillusioned with the Australian Labor Party’s response to international events. Powered by an ambition to prove the depth of her talent, she quit the party and started her own in indignation. She recalled moments of feeling out of place, stating, “Like when my colleagues would reference political events from the ’80s or throw names around of people they knew… it made me feel like an outsider.”
Payman owned her queerness and recognized that she had likely made some people in the audience uncomfortable. “I knew that my presence as the first hijab-wearing young senator made people uncomfortable, and I thought that was OK,” she remarked. Her experience and perspective highlight the need for more diverse and authentic leadership, representation, and systemic change in Australian politics.
Charlotte Walker, only 21 years old, has already taken the title of youngest senator after Payman. This overall trend is a welcome and continued development of younger cohorts’ demand for inclusivity and representation out of their government.
