Latest news with #CharlotteWalker
Sky News AU
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Labor senator acknowledges 250 nations across Australia
Sky News host James Macpherson discusses 21-year-old Senator Charlotte Walker's speech in which she acknowledges 250 nations across Australia. 'So, we now have a senator who speaks as though she's representing a geopolitical version of Eurovision, minus the sequins and catchy songs, of course, rather than representing Australia,' Mr Macpherson said. 'But seriously, when she acknowledged more than 250 nations, I couldn't help but think that when you speak at a full assembly of the UN, you don't acknowledge that many nations. 'We've taught kids for two decades that Australia is illegitimate, that our national flag is offensive, and that unity is actually oppressive.'
Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia's youngest-ever senator goes back to school
Charlotte Walker became the youngest person ever elected to the Senate on her 21st birthday, which fell on the same day the Albanese government was re-elected for its second term. The South Australian senator attended Senate school on Wednesday, learning the ropes with the other new senators. They will all take their places in the upper house chamber on July 22, when federal parliament sits for the first time since the national poll. At an age when many of her peers are enjoying university life, Walker said she was focused on driving policies to reduce student debt, improve housing affordability, reduce domestic violence and improve access to government services in regional areas. 'The biggest issue with getting into the housing market is saving for that down payment,' she said. Loading 'I'm really looking forward to getting out and talking to local people, making sure that we have proper regional representation in our parliament.' Walker grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, studied at the University of Adelaide and took a job with the Australian Services Union. She will now switch to a full-time job as a politician, but one less than half as old as the average member of parliament, who is 50 years old. 'Growing up in the country, I didn't see myself in the parliament, so that's definitely a priority of mine,' she said. 'Another issue I saw a lot of growing up is domestic violence. The lack of access to services really saw that issue maximised.'
The Age
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Australia's youngest-ever senator goes back to school
Charlotte Walker became the youngest person ever elected to the Senate on her 21st birthday, which fell on the same day the Albanese government was re-elected for its second term. The South Australian senator attended Senate school on Wednesday, learning the ropes with the other new senators. They will all take their places in the upper house chamber on July 22, when federal parliament sits for the first time since the national poll. At an age when many of her peers are enjoying university life, Walker said she was focused on driving policies to reduce student debt, improve housing affordability, reduce domestic violence and improve access to government services in regional areas. 'The biggest issue with getting into the housing market is saving for that down payment,' she said. Loading 'I'm really looking forward to getting out and talking to local people, making sure that we have proper regional representation in our parliament.' Walker grew up on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, studied at the University of Adelaide and took a job with the Australian Services Union. She will now switch to a full-time job as a politician, but one less than half as old as the average member of parliament, who is 50 years old. 'Growing up in the country, I didn't see myself in the parliament, so that's definitely a priority of mine,' she said. 'Another issue I saw a lot of growing up is domestic violence. The lack of access to services really saw that issue maximised.'
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Freshman politicians go to first day of 'Senate school'
Fresh-faced senators have attended their first day of orientation ahead of parliament's first sitting. The politicians will get to know the ins and outs of the upper chamber through a three-day crash course often referred to as "Senate school". Senate President Sue Lines, wearing in a suit that matched the chamber's colours, welcomed the new cohort on Wednesday while impressing the importance of punctuality. "Standing up and saying 'I'm really sorry I was late' is not going to cut it," she told them from the Senate floor. "You're probably going to cop a lot of jeering." But she also encouraged the Senate newbies to ask questions, repeating the old adage "there is no such thing as a dumb question". For some, like Australia's youngest-ever senator Charlotte Walker, there will be a lot to learn. The 21-year-old was not expected to win a Senate seat after she was pre-selected in the usually unwinnable third spot on Labor's South Australian ticket. However, the strength of Labor's landslide win in May propelled her into the upper chamber and she showed up dressed for the part in a pink silk suit jacket and an eagerness to take it all in. For others, like Liberal Leah Blyth who filled a vacated Senate seat earlier in 2025, the program would allow her to become even more familiar with parliamentary procedure. Meanwhile, Labor politician Michelle Ananda-Rajah will have to learn a whole new set of rules after she switched from the House of Representatives to the Senate following the abolishment of her electorate. Unlike the lower house, the government does not have a clear majority and the chamber president cannot eject members, which means the Senate can get rowdier and more chaotic than the House of Representatives. Senator Lines also welcomed Tyron Whitten, Warwick Stacey, Corinne Mulholland, Ellie Whiteaker, Jessica Collins, Richard Dowling to the chamber. Parliament will resume sitting on July 22.
First Post
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
Australia's Gen-Z Senator Wins Elections Using Minecraft and Livestreams Firstpost America
Australia's Gen-Z Senator Wins Elections Using Minecraft and Livestreams | Firstpost America|N18G Australia's Gen-Z Senator Wins Elections Using Minecraft and Livestreams | Firstpost America|N18G Charlotte Walker, 21, becomes one of Australia's youngest-ever senators after winning a surprise seat in South Australia. Campaigning without ads or door-knocking, Walker used livestreams, Minecraft builds, makeup tutorials, and street interviews to connect with young voters. Her digital-first strategy struck a chord, especially with first-time voters, helping her rise from third on the Labour Party list to a seat in the federal parliament. A former union worker, she now prepares for six years in Canberra and hopes to inspire more young women to enter politics. Could this signal a generational shift in campaigning? Watch this report to know more. See More
