When I was a teenager, I thought the most frustrating thing was having different political views to my close friends. I would become infuriated (perhaps irrationally) when a friend boiled down her dislike for Julia Gillard and her policies to not liking her speaking voice. I couldn't understand why other friends thought the Palmer United Party sounded sensible.
As I've entered my twenties, I've realised that differing opinions are a walk in the park compared to the real enemy - indifference. There are few phrases I hate more than "I don't care about politics". As a 24 year old woman in a developed country, I'm becoming increasingly aware of just how important my country's political leaders and their policies are to the world I live in. I am becoming increasingly fearful of the impact they are already having on a future they won't live to experience; the same future I will live through, that my children will live through.
It is unfathomable to me that intelligent, well-adjusted people who get up every day and go to work with other adults can walk into a polling booth fully intending to waste their ballot sheets with a donkey vote or a rude symbol. I've had to leave group messages on social media when a friend says "I don't even know who the Prime Minister is, lol".
How can you not know? How can you not WANT to know?
I'm well aware that I have a lot to learn when it comes to political policies and the inner workings of government. We have been changing leaders like we change shoes recently. I struggle to remember the name of the deputy leader of the coalition because my knowledge of the National party in Australia is mostly limited to Barnaby "Talking Tomato" Joyce. I frequently need a policy explained to me or a cabinet minister identified.
But at least I ask.
I find it inexcusable to be uninformed about politics in your own country. I'm not saying you need to be able to rattle off the name of every member of parliament or explain the ins and outs of every bill proposal in detail. I sure as heck couldn't do that. I'm saying that you should at least be aware of the major parties' stances on climate change, renewable energies, equal pay and abortion. I'm saying that you should watch a news program or listen to a radio update each day. I'm saying that you shouldn't need Facebook to remind you when the next election is.
And you should absolutely know who your own Prime Minister is.
