Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects we’re told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics they’re given. This week, he talks to Charlotte Walker. The South Australian is the youngest-ever senator to be elected in Australia. She secured her seat for Labor at the federal election on May 3, 2025, which was also her 21st birthday.
BODIES
Women in the public eye face more scrutiny over their appearance than their male counterparts. What’s been your experience? That’s definitely true. When I was younger and Julia Gillard was PM, some of the stuff that was printed about what she was wearing was really harsh. For me, there’s been inappropriate sexualisation, but I feel I’ve had less commentary around what I wear because of my age.
What comments do you receive? Every politician gets commentary that their policies suck. But for me, there’s the additional “She’s far too young to be doing this”; “She’s got no life experience”; “She doesn’t know what she’s doing.” Also, “I heard that she slept with an MP to get preselected.” I don’t respond. Well, I try not to.
What do you say to the “She’s far too young” argument, given that voters want their representatives in parliament to have experience? Parliament makes laws for all people. We’ve come a long way with female representation. We’ve got queer people in parliament; people from culturally diverse backgrounds. We know young people make up a larger proportion of voters than ever before, but we’re not represented. I’m not suggesting we should have a whole parliament of 21-year-olds running the country, but we should be able to have a range of people of different ages who’ve all done different things.
What frustrates you about your body at the moment? Oh, I’ve got jaw problems.
Really? Are you grinding your teeth? I am.
From stress? It could be. Some time ago, my jaw actually locked shut. It’s annoying when a large part of your job is speaking. We were in Canberra and I was like, “Someone needs to find me some soup.”
RELIGION
Did you grow up religious? I’m not religious. Some of my relatives are, but my mum and closest relatives aren’t. I’m a bit agnostic and a bit of a humanist: we should try to do everything we can to help everyone live a good and happy life. When trying to make a decision, go back to your values.
And what are yours? To have a fair go. Often, school kids ask me, “What’s the most important value to have in politics?” I say, “Empathy.” It’s important to remain empathetic so I can make sure I’m contributing to policy development that helps people. You’ve got to remain focused on the people.
Do you have any commandments for being a good leader? Never forget about the people who elected you. There’s a lot of privilege and a lot of perks with this job, and I see it’s easy to get sucked into that. But these are real people with real problems whom you’re trying to help.
Which sin do you think you’re most susceptible to? Drinking.
So you’re made for Canberra, then? I actually try not to drink in Canberra since I’m there to do important work; I don’t want to be compromised. And the drinking culture has got a lot better in parliament.
How do you atone for said sin? Drink water. I don’t drink enough.
Complete this sentence: “Other people go to church. I go …” … to bed. If I can get enough rest, I’ll be a better politician.
MONEY
What did your folks do for money? My mum has done lots of different jobs. She’s in local government at the moment, but has worked in hospitality, been a cleaner and a real-estate agent, and run the school canteen. She’s done everything.
You were raised in a single-parent household? It was a single-parent household for the second half of my childhood.
Did you feel any of the financial crunch that comes with that reality? Mum made sure to never put it on us. She thought it was an adult problem and her responsibility, but I got my first job at 14 – in a supermarket. Every year, I took some expenses off Mum and gradually started to pay for all my own stuff.
Did you study or work after that? I finished at the supermarket after school. Then I went to uni and, simultaneously, got a job with my local MP. I then dropped out of uni and stopped working for the MP, and moved into childcare – in admin – before working in private health insurance for a couple of months. After that, I got a job as an engagement officer with the Australian Services Union [as a member engagement officer].
And then? I became a senator.
That’s wild. Do you know how much you’re paid as a senator? The base is $210,000.
Do you feel that’s too much, too little or commensurate with the work that you do? We don’t make decisions about how much we earn; I think we should just leave it that way. But I’m very aware that nearly every other person my age earns significantly less. If you’re naive to that, then you’re probably going to be less effective as a representative of these people.
Where do you think Australia needs to be investing more money? Speaking as a young person, it’s got to be housing, right?
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