Youth is united in their demands for human rights at young voters’ forum

17 April 2025

On Tuesday night, young people from across the continent gathered at the online Youth on the Mic forum to voice their human rights concerns ahead of the upcoming federal election. Organised by Amnesty International Australia in collaboration with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Tomorrow Movement, Seed, and Green Music Australia, the event united the diverse interests of young people, sharing with political candidates, their shared demands for Australia's next Parliament.

The message from young Australians representing a diverse range of youth movements and organisations, was clear: the rights and interests of young people must be at the centre of political decision-making in this election and beyond.

Throughout the forum, young people expressed frustration with the status quo and called for urgent responses to issues that impact their lives and future. Youth participants asked questions on topics such as First Nations sovereignty, the genocide in Gaza, housing, climate change, and the arts.

In attendance were Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and Independent Senator Fatima Payman from the Australian Voice. Minister for Youth, Anne Aly and Assistant Minister for Climate Change, Josh Wilson as well as Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Ted O'Brien and Shadow Minister for Youth, Angie Bell were unable to attend. While invitations were sent to 10 alternative representatives from Labor and Liberal representatives, many had prior commitments and could not engage with young voters at the forum.

The housing crisis also featured prominently, with calls for secure and affordable housing framed as a basic human right. For many young people in attendance, especially those from marginalised communities, it was clear that these are not abstract policy discussions but lived realities.

The rise of racism, particularly within political institutions, was also addressed. Young participants voiced growing concern about the impact of structural racism on Australia's future.

"I've lived through floods and fires, while governments back gas and coal. We can't keep digging up Country.

"There's no future for communities in a safe climate without First Nations People leading the way," says Phoebe Delaney, Seed Mob.

"I care vehemently about the rights of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. With some of the most punitive polices on forced migration in the world, I dream of political leaders that hold more empathy," says Jovilyn from the Amnesty International Australia Diverse Voices Network.

"As a young renter facing the cost-of-living crisis, I can't even begin to comprehend the housing stress Victoria's public housing residents are experiencing. Everyone deserves access to secure housing. Treating public housing units as expendable is a complete disregard for the human right to housing, stability, and dignity."

Raisan, also from Amnesty's Diverse Voices Network, says: "As a young person I'm frustrated that I'd have to save for a long time to buy a house for myself and I'm frustrated that it seems like a lot of politicians don't really care to fix it. I'm frustrated that homelessness is increasing across the country. Everyone has the right to have basic shelter and again it seems like our leaders don't really care."

Grace Vegesana, National Director of the AYCC, says: "From the climate crisis to racism, insecure work to housing-we're calling for action from our political leaders."

Sama Youhana, QLD Climate Organiser, says: "Taking collective action is how we build community, resilience, and power-it's how we WIN JUSTICE!"

Amnesty International Australia reiterates its call for all political candidates to engage meaningfully with young voters and to prioritise the human rights issues raised during the forum. The youth vote will be pivotal this election, and young people have made it abundantly clear what kind of future they're voting for.

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all - and we can only do it with your support.

Act now or learn more about our human rights work.