PM Julia Gillard keeping an eye out for new talent

Photo ©AAP Image/Alan Porritt

It’s hard to escape the pervasive sense of sameness that surrounds the upcoming election. Same old issues, same old rhetoric and same old pollies trying to sell us polices that are themselves remarkably similar.

But for the people of the marginal seat of Longman, Queensland, this election has provided the unusual opportunity to bring some youthful perspective to the arena of federal politics, in the form of LNP candidate Wyatt Roy.

At just 19 years of age, Roy, if elected, will be the youngest MP to serve in Australian history. Ironically, this is also the first poll in which he will be legally old enough to vote.

Of his experience on the campaign trail, Roy says, “I’ve been overwhelmed at how positive the response was, I was expecting more resistance…  older people are happy to see someone that’s being proactive.”

Interestingly, Roy isn’t the only fresh faced candidate on the campaign trail this election. Labor has their own junior candidate in army reservist Christian Emmery, who only recently turned 20.

Emmery is a self confessed Metallica fan, and on Facebook lists his religious views as “Jedi”.

Some have suggested that a lack of life and workplace experience are an impediment for these young pollies and questioned their ability to engage with the electorate. But Nationals leader Warren Truss has spoken out, saying that Wyatt Roy has the makings of a future Prime Minister.

But is life experience everything? Isn’t there a place for youthful energy and a fresh perspective in our political landscape?

Would you like your local member to be young and enthusiastic? Or do you prefer more life experience? Log in below and have your say.