The big issues for a first-time voter

Mt Annan teenager Jeremiah Edagbami is one of thousands of first-time voters in the Macarthur region and he’s taking that privilege seriously.

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Mt Annan teenager Jeremiah Edagbami is one of thousands of first-time voters in the Macarthur region and he’s taking that privilege seriously.

The 19 year old said he was “super excited” to take part in democracy this Saturday and vote in the NSW Election.

“I feel voting is a very important thing — that it is almost as intrinsic as your personality,” Edagbami said.

Jeremiah Edagbami is one of thousands of first-time voters in the region. Picture: Carmela Roche

Mr Edagbami said there were a number of issues close to his heart, including climate change, education, women’s rights and public transport.

“I know it’s not really a state issue but I think the government should be doing much more with climate change and the environment,” he said.

“I certainly know it will impact me.

“The other major issue I have is education. I feel education is important in solving the inequalities of today.

“People are poor, people are rich, people are in poverty — but you can solve that through education.”

Jeremiah Edagbami says climate change and education are two issues close to his heart. Picture: Carmela Roche

Studying law and science at the University of Wollongong, Mr Edagbami said he wasn’t undecided on where he stands on the pill testing debate.

“Some of the drugs they do ban, they ban for a reason,” he said.

The Camden Youth Council member, who was elected Leader of the Opposition at the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament in 2017, will vote in the Camden electorate this Saturday.

The seats of Camden and Wollondilly are both Liberal strongholds and although the sitting MPs are not recontesting the election it’s likely their successors, Peter Sidgreaves and Nathaniel Smith respectively, will retain the seats for the party.