Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ)
Hundreds of high school and university students are expected to skip classes today as part of a nationwide student walkout opposing Pauline Hanson and One Nation. Protest organisers the National Union of Students have billed it as a “fight against racism” and opportunity to “stand up against the far right” – pointing to the party’s stance on multicultural issues.
While protest is a legitimate form of political participation, there has been backlash.
Liberal Senator Alex Antic told News24.com.au
Why are kids protesting things that they don’t really – I think – have a proper grasp of? And why are they being encouraged to do it by adults? […] Kids need to be in schools.
Other media commentators say they don’t understand why people under 18 are protesting politicians or political parties if they cannot vote.
The backlash echoes much of the media reporting of the School Strike for Climate protests which framed students as ignorant or pawns, manipulated by adults and other parties.
So does this mean students shouldn’t protest?
Why are students protesting if they can’t vote?
Typically, students are only allowed to miss school for a few reasons such as if they’re sick or if there’s a family crisis. Some private schools also have strict policies around absences.
But arguments that young people belong in school, miss an important point: children and young people have political and civic rights.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, young people have a right to civic and political association, participation and representation. In Australia, elected representatives also serve children in their electorates and states. These representatives should be accountable to everybody regardless of their age or whether or not they can vote.
However, research suggests young people are still framed as “apprentice citizens” who are routinely told they must learn about democracy but not yet take part.
Children want to have a say
Arguments young people are too inexperienced to protest or have unconsidered political views are also contradicted by research.
Studies tell us many children and young people appreciate that without the vote they need to take other forms of action to have a say and influence how society is governed.
My research found high school students articulate a deep understanding of contemporary issues when provided with platforms to express their views. As part of this research, my colleagues and I analysed more than 22,500 entries to the Whitlam Institute “What Matters?” competition from 2019–2023. The competition asks students from years 5–12 to write about what’s important to them.
We found young people have strong ideas about how a range of problems facing society should be addressed. Entrants expressed concerns about climate change, war, economic inequality, racism, violence against women and children, and social media development and regulation.
What can be learnt from student protests
Research shows there are many benefits to being involved in civic and political action, such as attending protests, from a young age. For example, participation helps students develop ways to articulate their rights and concerns in addressing societal issues.
Civics and citizenship learning is also not currently meeting the needs of students – or the community. Attending protests can provide students with opportunities to bridge gaps in knowledge.
Youth advocacy also highlights institutional and legislative barriers that may weaken public participation in Australian democracy and our ability to deal with big issues. One of these barriers is the current voting age of 18 years, which my research suggested should be lowered to 16 years. Another barrier is young people’s limited access to the courts system. Recent cases of young people’s strategic climate litigation show how better access to the courts could help to address some of the issues they’re concerned about.
Youth movements can create change
Student political action has also historically led to change in some cases. Australia has a rich history of high school protests that have brought important issues to light. For example, in 1972, nation-wide student protests called for an end to gender segregation and corporal punishment in schools alongside other demands.
More recently, student activism for climate justice has led to change from government.
Students who were involved in the School Strike for Climate movement have worked with Senator David Pocock and others to launch a campaign pressuring Australian governments to consider their duty of care to children and young people in their response to climate change. While the students’ efforts were unsuccessful at the federal level, the sustained, student-driven campaign led to the Australian Capital Territory becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to embed a duty of care to young people and future generations in the new ACT Climate Change Strategy.
These incremental steps can have a tangible effect on how our country is governed. The progress sends an important message to children and young people that they are valued as citizens. Student protests also remind politicians and the community that young people matter for democracy.
Philippa Collin receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Telstra Foundation, Google AU/NZ, Learning Creates Australia and the Young and Resilient Research Centre (WSU), which she co-directs. She is a member of the Intergenerational Fairness Coalition.
Original source: https://analysis1.mil-osi.com/2026/08/12/high-school-students-are-protesting-against-one-nation-whats-the-point-if-they-cant-vote/