Dean Smith, Senator for Perth’s Northern Suburbs, has launched an online survey for young people.
Called the COVID-19 Gen Z Survey, it’s aimed at finding out more about how the pandemic has affected youth across Perth’s Northern Suburbs, and what they want the post-pandemic future to look like.
The initiative, which begins this week and is expected to run for a month, is accessible through the Senator’s Facebook page.
Open to 18-21 year olds, it asks participants what challenges both young people and Australia as a whole have faced during COVID-19.
Other questions include what they’d do if they were the Prime Minister or WA Premier, and what things they wish were done differently during the pandemic.
Senator Smith feels that COVID-19 has been a once in a lifetime event and it’s important to learn more about its effect on young locals.
“So much of the focus during the pandemic has been on older people, which is appropriate given the risks posed to that part of our community, but it’s vital we also hear how it has been for young adults.”
“This survey gives them a voice, an opportunity to share their COVID-19 stories and to tell us what they think was done well and what could’ve been better.
“We want to know what their major concerns have been, how their employment was affected, what has happened to their studies, their families and friends.
“It may be that we get some unexpected results back, but that’s great, we want that genuine insight into their experiences.”
The survey is a collaboration between Senator Smith’s team and UWA post-graduate student Jake Harvey, who is interning in the Senator’s office.
Jake said the survey is a timely way of engaging young people like himself in politics.
“This has been a formative time, but has also potentially affected young people mentally, physically, and in many other ways.”
“I think some of them feel left out of politics and decision making, but this gives them a platform to be heard.”