Fewer than half of Australian students are meeting the national standard when it comes to their knowledge about government processes.
It’s a statistic that comes as no surprise to 20-year-old Kiarah Nener, an advocate for a federal youth parliament beginning in 2026.
“Growing up in a rural area, I understand that engagement is something that is quite difficult to come across, and is not always prioritised for everyone in the way that it should be,” she told AAP.
Civics education outcomes are at their lowest point in 20 years, according to the latest national data, which House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick said was a major concern.
The increasing disconnect between young people and their knowledge of government is a sign Australia’s democracy is under pressure, Mr Dick told attendees at the national youth parliament’s launch on Monday.
“This isn’t good enough,” he said.
“Australia is one of the strongest democracies in the world, and these numbers aren’t just statistics.”
The youth parliament program builds on state government schemes to offer hands-on experiences including debates and workshops.
A selection of 150 students aged 16 and 17 will be chosen from each federal electorate for the first five-day event in August 2026.
Former participant in the state youth program Jaime Campbell said its benefits extend beyond those chosen to take part.
“I know that I feel really inspired when I see other young people talking about the issues they’re passionate about,” the 18-year-old told AAP.
“I really hope that other young people across the country, even if they don’t get the opportunity to travel to Canberra and participate in this program, can see that and feel inspired.”
The focus on youth in politics comes as parliament’s youngest-ever senator, 21-year-old Charlotte Walker, was to give her first speech on Monday.
The South Australian senator celebrated her milestone birthday on the day of the federal election, winning a third seat in the state for Labor.
The youth program’s launch was among the first initiatives to come off the bat for the upcoming fortnight of federal parliament, where health, housing and wages are expected to dominate
Fresh from outlining ideas for long-term reform at its productivity roundtable, the government will shift focus to several key election promises as it settles into its second-term agenda.
Laws cutting the cost of prescriptions on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to $25 will be back up for debate during the fortnight.
Measures formally enshrining penalty rates are also set to pass the parliament as part of a workplace rights push.
While there were calls at the economic summit to commit to broad tax changes such as a crackdown on negative gearing and amendments to capital gains, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has stressed there are no immediate plans for an overhaul.
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