Australia’s youngest-ever senator, Charlotte Walker, has opened up about her six-figure salary and the intense scrutiny she has faced since entering federal parliament at just 21.

Charlotte Walker, a South Australian Labor senator elected on her 21st birthday in 2025, said she has endured ‘vicious commentary’ largely driven by her age and gender, including unfounded rumours about her private life, as she approaches one year in the role.

Walker won a Senate seat from what was considered Labor’s unwinnable third spot on the South Australian ticket after a surprise surge in the party’s vote.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald’s Benjamin Law, Walker said criticism of her had gone far beyond policy debates.

She said she had received backlash, including ‘inappropriate sexualisation’.

‘When I was younger and Julia Gillard was PM, some of the stuff that was printed about what she was wearing was really harsh – for me, there’s been inappropriate sexualisation, but I feel I’ve had less commentary around what I wear because of my age.’

Walker said male politicians are often attacked over their ideas, while young women face much more personal criticism.

‘Every politician gets commentary that their policies suck but for me, there’s the additional “she’s far too young to be doing this, she’s got no life experience, she doesn’t know what she’s doing, also, “I heard that she slept with an MP to get preselected” – I don’t respond, well, I try not to.’ 

Charlotte Walker (pictured) spoke publicly about negative comments received due to her age

She also rejected the idea she had led a sheltered life.

Walker said she grew up in a household where money was tight and gained independence early.

She said her mother never burdened the children with financial stress, believing it was an adult issue and her responsibility to handle.

But by 14, she had taken a job at a supermarket and each year began covering more of her own costs until she was paying for everything herself.

Her CV before parliament included retail, university, political staff work, childcare administration and private health insurance, before a job with the Australian Services Union.

Walker confirmed her base salary as a senator is $210,000, a figure that has turned heads given her youth.

‘We don’t make decisions about how much we earn, I think we should just leave it that way, but I’m very aware that nearly every other person my age earns significantly less – if you’re naive to that, then you’re probably going to be less effective as a representative of these people,’ she said.

Walker argued parliament must reflect Australia’s full diversity, age included.

Walker (left) said growing up in a single parent household had given her a value for money

Charlotte Walker (right) has quickly become a rising star within the Federal Labor Party 

Senator Walker (left centre) played a visible role in the SA state election campaign for Labor

Walker also revealed senior Labor figures have stepped in to support her since her election, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

In a YouTube video, Walker singled out Wong for her mentorship.

‘She’s been sitting in the parliament longer than I’ve been alive, and I’ve been really lucky to have her looking out for me,’ she said.

Walker admitted the pressure of being the youngest senator has at times felt overwhelming.

‘It is obvious that I’m a lot younger than anyone else and sometimes I feel pressure that I am like… the sole youth representative in federal parliament,’ she said.

‘I feel pressure to do everything that I can to represent them and I try my best.’

Since her election, Walker has emerged as a key political asset for the Labor Party, with the party increasingly leaning into her youth to connect with younger voters.

She played a prominent role during the South Australian state election, campaigning heavily in key seats and helping Labor secure a sweeping return to government.