UPDATE: Creators are mobilizing to engage young Australians in urgent discussions about tax reform, highlighting the pressing need for change in the current system. In a significant roundtable event on October 20, 2023, at Parliament House, Wentworth MP Allegra Spender emphasized the importance of making tax issues resonate with younger voters who feel the brunt of housing affordability and stagnant wages.
Amid a gathering of economists, politicians, and business leaders, content creators like Konrad Benjamin and Natasha Etschmann joined the conversation to help bridge the communication gap with the millennial and Gen Z demographics. “We need to cut through the traditional discourse and reach those who feel left behind,” said Benjamin, known for his viral Punter’s Politics videos.
Former Treasury secretary Ken Henry asserted that the tax system is fundamentally broken, with the burden increasingly falling on young individuals. “Tax policy tragics know that tax reform is necessary, but the community largely does not,” he stated, underscoring the need for a compelling narrative to drive action.
Spender echoed this sentiment, stating, “You have to convince people why it’s important before you can convince them what the solution is.” She noted that constituents often voice concerns about their children’s futures and housing, rather than specific tax issues. “They don’t see the link back to tax,” she added.
Using platforms like Instagram, Spender is working to raise awareness of tax reform’s impact on everyday lives. Etschmann, a personal finance podcaster with a following of over 300,000, aims to amplify these messages to a wider audience. “We are the ones bearing the burden of this system,” she remarked, emphasizing the need for young people to be part of the solution.
Key solutions discussed included taxing carbon and resources more effectively, reducing reliance on personal income tax, and enhancing investment incentives. “The solutions are known, but the challenge lies in communicating them effectively,” Benjamin explained. “Our generation feels like wage slaves, and we need to reshape the political discourse.”
As the movement gains momentum, the call for young Australians to engage in tax reform discussions becomes increasingly urgent. Spender and her allies are determined to create a narrative that speaks to the challenges faced by today’s youth, aiming to inspire political change that resonates with those who feel overlooked.
With the tax roundtable concluding, the next steps involve fostering a broader dialogue that connects tax policy to everyday concerns. The hope is to rally support from young voters who are crucial for shaping a more equitable and sustainable tax system.
