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RECENT Newspolls showing the Australian Greens with between 14 and 20 per cent of the vote in WA ahead of the Federal Election could turn a 21-year-old university student in to a Senator.
Jordon Steele-John ran for the Federal seat of Fremantle in 2013 as an 18-year-old, having given up his British citizenship in order to run for Parliament.
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READ NOWHe is studying politics by correspondence at Macquarie University and works in disability advocacy.
“Age is not necessarily a corollary with wisdom,” Mr Steele-John said.
“Older Australians have an incredible amount to offer and that should be respected, but there is also a real need in Australian politics for younger voices to be heard.”
Mr Steele-John, who has cerebral palsy, said climate change posed the most significant “challenge and opportunity” of his generation.
“If we get this wrong, you will see more frequent climate-related natural disasters and economic turmoil,” he said.
“If we get it right, we will see a new industrial revolution that will create jobs and sustainable economic growth.”
Mr Steele-John said he was also passionate about accessible education and affordable housing.
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