On the day of Australia’s federal election in May, Charlotte Walker, who turned 21 that day, became the nation’s youngest-ever senator. Despite initially being an underdog, the former union official secured the governing Labor Party’s third Senate seat for South Australia through a complex voting system. Walker had the lowest vote count among the newly elected senators, but her victory reflects significant electoral shifts. Officially declared by the Australian Electoral Commission, she will commence her six-year term on July 1, receiving an annual salary exceeding 205,000 Australian dollars ($133,000).
Walker expressed mixed feelings about her new role, acknowledging the pressure but also the opportunity to inspire young people, especially young women, to pursue similar paths. Before her, the youngest senator was Jordon Steele-John of the Greens party at age 23, and Australia’s youngest federal lawmaker was Wyatt Roy, elected at 20.
The election saw a significant increase in women members of Parliament, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese anticipating that 57% of Labor lawmakers will be women. This rise is partly attributed to large voter swings, which often elevate female candidates to seats deemed unwinnable. Political analyst Frank Bongiorno noted the impact of a long-term Labor initiative that has mandated female representation in candidate selections since 1994. The shift in the party’s culture over 30 years has contributed to this new landscape. Walker’s election success, despite initial odds, is emblematic of ongoing efforts to enhance women’s representation in Australian politics, signaling a potential change in the political climate.
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