Cunningham votes: Greens’ Dylan Green’s appeal to politically disenfranchised

The Greens’ candidate for Cunningham Dylan Green wants action on climate change and housing affordability. He’s also in agreement with his UAP rival on one key issue.

On the Venn diagram of Australian politics, there’s little overlap between the Greens and the United Australia Party, except in one area according to the left-wing party’s candidate for Cunningham Dylan Green.

The 24-year-old scientist said he had spoken to UAP rival for the seat Ben Britton with the two political hopefuls agreeing it was time to dismantle the stronghold of the major parties.

“There are a lot of people who are disenfranchised by politics,” Mr Green told The Illawarra Star as he sipped on an apple, spinach and ginger concoction.

“I’ve had some chats with Ben and he’s very keen to displace the Liberal and Labor duopoly and that’s something I wholeheartedly agree with him on.

“Politicians aren’t working for the public, there’s too much influence from big corporations funding political campaigns.”

(From left) Greens leader Adam Bandt, NSW senate candidate David Shoebridge and Cunningham candidate Dylan Green in Port Kembla in April. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The desire to shake up Capital Hill is one of three issues Mr Green said voters were keen to discuss with him while on the campaign trail, with the others being climate change and housing affordability.

“Climate change is really the thing which got me politically active,” he said.

“It’s always on my mind and the Greens are the only party with a science-based plan, while Labor and the Liberals are still funding coal mines.

“[When talking with voters] I never start with climate change, I ask what they care about and plenty of people start with climate change.

“Unaffordable housing is a huge issue across the board and it’s not just an important issue for young people.

“I have spoken with older people who brought a home 30 years ago who say their kids just can’t afford to buy a house. It is an issue which affects younger people more acutely, but it is something which affects everyone.”

The average age in the Australian Parliament is 51, however, the Greens aren’t averse to putting forward younger candidates with Jordon Steele-John becoming the country’s youngest ever senator in 2019, aged 23.

A Dylan Green sign on an apartment near the Wollongong CBD. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The Greens have the freshest face at this coming election with 18-year-old Eli Davern running against Environment Minister Sussan Ley in Farrer.

Mr Green conceded he didn’t have the political experience of Labor favourite Alison Byrnes, who has been a staffer for the outgoing Sharon Bird for 18 years, but he felt age should not be a barrier for throwing one’s hat in the ring.

“Yes, I don’t have as much experience as some,” he said.

“But politics should represent us. We need more diversity in politics … of people, of ideas and of discussion.

“Young people are disengaged by politics and we need to get them more engaged.

“I have talked to a lot of people during the campaign, at stalls and door knocking and young people are excited [by another young person running] and so are older people – we’re the ones inheriting the world.

“In general, if people think [someone is too young to run] they won’t win so you have to go out there and prove you’re worth voting for.”

A Greens upset in Cunningham isn’t without precedence with Michael Organ becoming the party’s first ever MP after winning the 2002 by-election – where he edged out Ms Bird, who was still a political wannabe at the time.

Michael Organ (left) and Sharon Bird during the 2002 by-election campaign. Picture: Tracee Lea

Mr Green accepts it’s a vastly different situation this time around in the seat which has been red for all but two years of its 73-year existence.

“We are all very realistic, it’s a long shot to win,” Mr Green said.

“We are not kidding ourselves, but we draw strength from having won here in the past even though it was in unusual circumstances.

“The Greens message has been very receptive and if we don’t win we want to try and put us within range for future elections.”