In conversation with NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay

Max Kennedy: What do you think Young Labor’s role is in the Party?

Jodi McKay: To me Young Labor’s role in the ALP is simple - to advocate loudly for the progressive causes that matter to young people.

Whether it’s stronger action on climate change, a better TAFE system or more job opportunities for young people particularly in this recession, Young Labor plays an important role within our Party as a voice on the issues young people are passionate about.

Max: Which decision that the Berejiklian Government has made since you became leader do you think has been most harmful to young people?

Jodi: Where to start!? It’s impossible to pick a single worst decision that the Berejiklian Government has made - the reality is that at just about every turn, decisions made by this Government have harmed young people.

They’ve presided over the lowest ever standards in literacy, numeracy and science - which is putting today’s children at a massive disadvantage from the very beginning.

Their cuts to TAFE and apprenticeships and lack of support for our university sector have made it harder for young people to get the skills they need for stable, secure jobs and resulted in skyrocketing youth unemployment - something that the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated.

Their lack of action on climate change coupled with rampant ecological vandalism shows just hoe out of step they are with young people when it comes to the environment.

And their disastrous financial management, budget blowouts and ongoing fire-sale of public assets will saddle future generations with billions of dollars of debt, which will in turn make it harder for the essential government services that people rely on.

Whichever way you look at it, young people get a raw deal from the Berejiklian Government.

Max: Young people have been hit the hardest by the loss in jobs due to COVID-19. That is greatly in part due to the increased casualisation of our workforce, which overwhelmingly affects younger workers. What steps would you take if you were Premier, not just to create jobs, but to create stable and long-lasting employment for young workers?

Jodi: We know the recession has hurt young people working in heavily casualised areas like hospitality, retail, tourism, and the areas. But the Government’s recovery strategy is almost exclusively focused on construction. Labor urges a plan for all areas of the economy. We need a massive investment in education and TAFE to equip young people for the jobs of the future. We also need greater protections for freelancers and those in casualised industries.

At the last election, Labor proposed guaranteeing gig economy workers legal rights to minimum rates of pay and conditions. We are also leading the way on reforms to criminalise wage theft and stop young people from being exploited.

Max: What is one thing you wish you got to talk about more, either in Parliament or in the media?

Jodi: I’ve long held the view that we should extend an optional vote to 16 and 17 year olds at our elections. I raised the idea in my inaugural speech as the Member for Strathfield in 2015, because while it’s not in Labor’s platform it is something I personally feel very strongly about.

To me it just doesn’t make sense that 16 and 17 year olds are able to leave school, get a job and pay their taxes but are then denied the right to have a say on the future of education and TAFE, the environment or any other issue that matters to them.

Max: What piece of advice do you have for young people trying to have their voices heard?

Jodi: Get involved - whether that’s in your local branch or YLA, on campus, online or wherever it might be. Across every generation, young people have always been at the forefront of the fight for a better world. It’s only through more young people getting involved that their voices are hears and society changes and moves forward.