Voting in Australia as a young, Queer person: Student reflections on power and governance
This week on the Power to Persuade blog, we will hear from students at RMIT University about their reflections on power and governance in Australia. First up is Em Dewhurst (They/Them). Em is a Bachelor of Social Work student at RMIT University, who has written a powerful reflection on voting in Australia as a young, Queer person. Em works as a Diversity and Inclusion Consultant at They/Say Consulting, a Facilitator for the Youth Disability Advocacy Service, and a Youth Engagement Support Officer for Hume City Council.
From my perspective, participation in a democracy requires bringing your full self, which is enabled by education, being fully informed when voting, having your voice heard and psychological safety. I will be linking this idea of participation in democracy to my experiences voting in elections, together with exploring voting from the perspective of a Queer person in the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite, the education I have received, and growing up in a conservative and regional town.
Psychological safety is crucial for participation in democratic processes. My first voting experience was the 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite when I was 18. This vote outcome directly impacted my ability to marry someone of the same gender. I feared a ‘no’ majority and felt the vote was discriminatory since it was not required for heterosexual marriages. The lack of regulations on campaign advertisements allowed homophobic campaigns that were fueled by misinformation, causing shame in my identity.
“Despite the plebiscite passing, the discrimination I faced highlighted the profound impact of government, voting, and public opinion on individuals’ lives. ”
The absence of psychological safety in this process left my community and me vulnerable. This experience underscored the need for democratic processes to ensure all voices are heard while safeguarding the psychological safety of individual groups. Ensuring psychological safety in democratic participation is essential for genuine engagement and fairness, protecting minority groups from harm and fostering a more inclusive society.
Understanding how the government works and voting procedures are imperative to participation in democracy, yet my lack of education left me uninformed. In grade five, I learned the basics of government through bird comparisons and a trip to Canberra to see the parliament buildings. Upon reflection, these were abstract ideas with limited practical application. During my first voting experience in the 2018 State election, my absence of knowledge about alternative parties meant I didn't recognise most names on the ballot and couldn’t make a fully informed decision. It wasn’t until after that election, when I worked as a Ballot Counter for the Victorian Electoral Commission that I began to understand our voting system. Counting ballots and witnessing the preferential voting process firsthand gave me a deeper understanding, allowing me to be more informed when voting in the 2019 election. This experience highlighted the inadequacy of my earlier education on democratic processes.
“My haphazard learning journey underscored the need for Australian children to receive practical education about democratic participation to ensure they can make informed decisions as adults. ”
This practical experience is essential for understanding democracy and making informed choices at the polls.
Having confidence that your voice matters is crucial for participation in democracy. Living in a small town, I felt pressured to conform to prevalent social and political ideas, silencing my ability to share my views. During the 2018 State Election, only one party representative from the Liberal party was at the polling booth, handing out how-to-vote flyers. Everyone was assumed to vote for them, as the electorate had been a Liberal-safe seat since 2006. The absence of other representatives made it feel like defeat was certain before the process began. I felt that my vote and voice did not matter and that I could not make a difference through voting.
When the community you live in overwhelmingly votes one way, and it is at odds with how you view the world, it is disempowering and isolating. I felt as if the only way to feel as though I had a voice was to move to another electorate that aligned with my beliefs, which is when I moved to Fitzroy. Moving allowed me to connect with a community that shared my views, reinforcing the importance of feeling represented. For those who feel unrepresented, accessible processes and guides are essential to help them advocate for their beliefs and feel their participation matters. Democracy thrives when every voice feels heard and valued.
Reflecting on my experiences in participating in democracy through voting, I have found that active participation requires the full engagement of individuals. This can be achieved through psychological safety, practical experiences built into our education system, and ensuring social and political pressures don’t stifle voices.
Content moderator: Dr Lisa Wheildon