Michael PearceMelbourne High School

Third Prize

Michael Pearce Parliament Prize 2016 Third Prize

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If parliament is the people’s house, what makes it relevant to

generation next?

Author’s explanation: This piece was inspired by the ever growing political apathy that the public is displaying across the globe. This piece will explore the causes of this issue, repercussions and some solutions that I have designed which will hopefully

combat this trend.

The prominent downward trend regarding public interest and involvement with both local and national politics globally has undoubtedly been further amplified by each successive younger generation becoming increasingly politically apathetic. Many have theorised the reasons for this, some blaming traditional problems: ‘my vote won't change anything’; and others believe it is a result of not only politics’ undesirable public image, but also due to the lack modernisation of the system in an ever more digital world. It is imperative that all efforts are made to attempt to reverse this trend and re-engage the public in a system that our lifestyles depend so much on, as without the public’s full support in such a system, there will be terrible consequences. The currently developing and maturing generation will be one, if not the most, well educated generations to have lived. Despite this, we’re seeing greater levels of political apathy than ever before. The AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) estimated that for the 2016 federal election, more than half of eighteen-year-olds were not enrolled vote, an increase since the 2013 election in which 25 percent of young people (18-24) weren't enrolled to vote. However, it isn't necessarily the ‘best’ time to become interested in politics anyway, with little actual debate and negotiation happening but rather scare campaigns and targeted attacks through biased mass media on largely unsubstantial and often twisted statements when a politically involved person makes a statement that differs from the normal rhetoric. Not only is this culture toxic by nature, but discourages external interest as it is viewed as immature and frankly ridiculous. The rise of anti-establishmentarianism throughout primarily Europe and the US (also on the rise in Australia) is indicative of an electorate that is fed up with mainstream, conventional politics and the less than attractive appearance it holds in society. While this trend doesn't apply directly to generation next as a large proportion of this generation will not be of age to vote, it is reasonable to assume that the trend will likely follow suit. This should hopefully raise alarms within regulating bodies, political activists and major parties alike to meet the reform that the public so obviously desires, through policy and image alike. Furthermore, there are a few prominent entities which provide Australian youth an opportunity to get involved with policy making roles, such as the Youth Parliament or the UN youth. Unfortunately, these bodies aren't widely known amongst young people, which is potentially a result of ineffective advertisement or simply a lack of interest as they don’t understand the systems that these bodies play into. The significance of increasing percentages of the population not interested in participating in politics and public policy should not need to be emphasised. Not only will this undermine the system that is meant to give the people power, but it will likely result in ineffective governance. Australia is currently in a crucial stage of its

Michael Pearce Parliament Prize 2016 Third Prize

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economic and social development, and at the moment young people are missing out on contributing to the country that will likely be their home for many years to come. As such, Australia not only needs the entire electorate to function effectively, but also the innovation and ideas that a new generation will bring to the table to further develop and enhance this nation. This monumental problem will require a number of solutions to address the problem in full. Firstly, to ensure that upcoming generations understand both the importance and significance of the political system, it should be taught to students to a moderate depth at a mature age as a compulsory program. This program should help the students understand the functions of each level of government and how this translates to everyday life. It is also imperative that all policy makers attempt to engage with the general public more frequently and in a more significant manner, which will benefit both them and the electorate, as they will have more first hand experience when trying to decipher public opinion, and the electorate will undoubtedly feel more engaged. This would be most significant when done through mediums such as school events, community events and community consultation. An image and public perception makeover is imperative to the health of the political system, as many see public officials as untrustworthy, selfish and worse. This creates a harmful and ultimately unnecessary public stigma which deters potential candidates, involvement and the desire to discuss politics with other people. Finally, bringing politics into the twenty-first century will do wonders for its general relevance and tolerance within a digital world. This could extend from the current AEC ability to enrol online to voting online and hosting further public forums on social media, as Q&A already does. This is essential for public forums as otherwise they will not have the most engagement possible. Based on current projections, the disengagement of the public from politics will reach a critical level in the near future. This will undoubtedly lead to severe repercussions, such as ineffective governance and more broadly, a less successful Australia (which naturally impacts the citizens). This is a problem that Australia doesn't face alone, and in fact, it would be quite beneficial if Australia discussed methods of re-engagement with other such ill fated nations, such as the United Kingdom. Some significant potential ideas are essentially greater public engagement and a cleaning of public opinion regarding politics. Finally, further opportunities, initiatives and programs in schools to encourage the youth of Australia will help us to see some positive progress and the removal of the ‘it's not my problem’ mentality.