Australia Elects Its Youngest Senator at 21 in Surprise Victory
A woman who turned 21 on the day of Australia’s federal election in May has made history as the nation’s youngest-ever senator. Charlotte Walker, a former union official, was not widely expected to win her seat, but she succeeded in securing the third Senate spot for the governing center-left Labor Party in South Australia. In Australia’s complex ranked voting system, it’s rare for a party’s third candidate to gain a seat, especially as Walker had the lowest vote count among the six new senators from her state.
The Australian Electoral Commission officially announced the election results recently, and Walker expressed that her new role will be a significant adjustment. Starting her six-year term on July 1, federal lawmakers earn a base salary exceeding 205,000 Australian dollars (around $133,000) annually. After the results were revealed, she acknowledged the pressure of her position but emphasized her desire to perform well for South Australians and inspire younger individuals, especially women, to pursue similar paths.
Prior to Walker, the title of youngest senator was held by Jordon Steele-John of the Greens party, who was elected at 23. Additionally, the youngest-ever federal lawmaker in Australia was Wyatt Roy, who entered the House of Representatives at the age of 20 in 2010. Following the recent elections, it’s noted that significant changes often lead to increased female representation in Parliament, though many newcomers may not retain their seats after the political tides shift.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese anticipates that 57% of Labor lawmakers in both the Senate and House of Representatives will be women when Parliament reconvenes July 22. This is an increase from 52% during his first term and reflects ongoing efforts by the Labor Party to enhance women’s representation since implementing a quota in 1994. Political historian Frank Bongiorno noted that the increase in women in leadership roles stemmed from deliberate changes within the party over three decades, moving away from a historically male-dominated culture.