In 2020, Laura Mayne was supposed to be busy.
She had just started studying law at Deakin University, had a cafe job lined up in Templestowe, was set to coach sport at her old school and playing women’s footy with a shot at the VFLW.
Then came COVID. With all plans derailed and time on her hands Mayne figured, “why not run in a local council election?”. Not what many 19-year-olds might choose to do, but it kind of runs in the family.
Backed by a Wix website, a headshot, 200 words for the ballot and 200 bucks, then 19-year-old Mayne was elected to Schramm Ward of Manningham Council with a 5.9 per cent margin. Last November, at 23, she was re-elected with an increased margin of 10.8 per cent.
Subverting widespread assumptions that Gen Zs don’t care about politics, Mayne campaigned on a platform advocating inclusivity, protecting green spaces and improving infrastructure.
“Like nothing else, you want a young perspective in this type of environment,” Mayne says.
“Because who else can talk about what it’s like to grow up in Manningham? What it’s like to be an adolescent and take the local bus and play on these playgrounds and go to these festivals?”
Passionate engagement in community, plus a dose of “mad confidence”, are the only qualifications required of a local councillor, she says, while conceding that backing from a political party or association helps.
She’s keen to demystify the gig for her peers, many of whom have little concept of local government. She’s confident that if more community-oriented young people knew what was involved, and what they could be part of, they would give it a go.
“You don’t need a degree. It’s not full-time, it’s after hours. People just don’t know that,” Mayne says.
“Being a local councillor is the best uni job ever.”
As civics knowledge among young Australians hits a record low and the cost of living pushes many young Australians to delay independence, Mayne sees local government as one of the most accessible, meaningful ways for Gen Z to get politically involved.
Manningham Council in Doncaster, where Mayne has held a seat since 2020. Photo: Ashleigh Wyss
“Politics is treated as this high-brow, intellectual space when it’s not, it’s everyday life,” she says.
“In terms of the roads you drive on, the quality of the services you use. It’s not just a few basic issues that are in Canberra. It’s all around you.”
Mayne recognises she’s had the benefit of perspective and insights into how government and politics works courtesy of growing up in a politically-connected household and having a strong support network behind her.
Dad is Stephen Mayne, a journalist, Crikey founder, anti-gambling advocate and, according to his daughter, a “professional shit stirrer” notorious for running in every election he can.
But it was her mother, Paula Piccinini, a family violence lawyer, former CEO of Refuge Victoria, previous mayor of Manningham, and now a barrister in the Children’s Court, who inspired her to run.
She was also inspired by young mayors like Jasmine Nguyen, who was the Mayor of Brimbank when she was 24, Jake Keogh, Mayor of Knox at 23, and Anthony Tran, who was 22 when he became the Mayor of Maribyrnong.
Now finishing the law degree she started back in 2020, living in Templestowe with her mum and siblings and watching the hard fought contest for her marginal seat of Menzies, Mayne says she has no ambitions to pursue politics any further up the ladder.
Instead, she’s getting stuck into her second term on Manningham council and hopes to continue working in the local government sector.
Her proudest achievement to date is helping establish the Manningham Youth Hub, a dedicated safe space for young people in the area to access community services and support.
Mayne says the MC Square youth hub works as a “third safe space” outside of home and school for the area’s younger residents. Photo: Ashleigh Wyss
“I find it quite frustrating that people perceive me as being really outstanding, when in my eyes, I know dozens of young people who would be incredible in this position and offer amazing perspectives.
“It shouldn’t be just me.”
Mayne encourages Zoomers interested in getting more politically engaged to seek out some of the rising generational voices cutting through with explainers and commentary that help newcomers understand the landscape.
She’s a keen follower of podcaster and writer Hannah Ferguson, 26, founder and CEO of Cheek Media, who pulls an audience of 3 million listeners with her sassy blend of culture and progressive politics. Ferguson’s invitation from the Albanese Government to attend the budget lockup in March sent some legacy media into conniptions.
“I tell my friends if you want to become more engaged in politics, just like, change your algorithm a little bit.”
An edited version of this story is co-published with Crikey.com
