Charlotte Walker has shattered records and made headlines by becoming Australia’s youngest-ever female senator at the age of just 21.
Australia’s Youngest Female Senator Charlotte Walker
A rising star from the Labor Party, Charlotte Walker was officially confirmed as a senator this week, representing South Australia. Her unexpected victory was declared by the Australian Electoral Commission on May 27, and she is set to begin her six-year term in July.
Despite being the third-ranked candidate on the Labor ticket—a position typically not considered winnable—Walker secured her seat thanks to Australia’s preferential voting system. This system enables voters to rank candidates by preference, ultimately boosting Walker into a winning position.
Charlotte Walker received the fewest votes among the six successful Senate candidates from her state, but her achievement is no less significant. Her election has captured national attention, not only due to her age but also her ambition to represent young Australians in federal politics.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Walker said, “There’s a few feelings. Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure.” She acknowledged that stepping into such a major role at a young age would be a “big adjustment,” but emphasized her enthusiasm and sense of purpose.
“I want to do a good job for South Australians,” Charlotte Walker said. “But I also want to show young people, particularly young women, that this is achievable and this is something they can do also. I’m also really excited. Not many people my age get to go to Canberra and have the ability to contribute in the way that I will.”
A Record-Breaking Moment in Australian Politics
Before Charlotte Walker, the youngest senator in Australian history was Jordon Steele-John of the Green Party, who was elected in 2017 at age 23. Australia’s youngest-ever federal lawmaker remains Wyatt Roy, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 at just 20 years old.
Walker now stands as a symbol of generational change in Australian politics, breaking barriers and inspiring a new wave of youth engagement in government.