If you’re a young person in Australia right now, chances are you’re feeling pretty screwed over by the federal budget. Housing? Unaffordable. Student debt? Skyrocketing. Climate action? Nowhere to be seen. And don’t even get us started on the billions being thrown at submarines and developer handouts.
That’s why young people from Tomorrow Movement are taking a stand—and they’re doing it in the most eye-catching way possible: by installing toilets outside the offices of key Labor and Liberal-National MPs, including Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ office in Brisbane.
Yep, toilets.
Painted with slogans like “Labor’s Budget: Flushing our future for big business” and “Liberal’s Budget Reply: Same shit, different party,” the toilets are a bold symbol of how both major parties are prioritising corporate interests over the needs of everyday Australians. Young people even “flushed” symbolic items like fake money and toy submarines down the toilets to represent the billions wasted on AUKUS and developer handouts.
“For decades, politicians have told us that hard work will pay off—but that’s just not true anymore,” said Imo Kuah, a 22-year-old organiser with the Tomorrow Movement. “Young people are working harder than ever, but we’re being locked out of housing, saddled with student debt, and forced into insecure jobs—all while Labor and Liberal throw billions at corporations and submarines. Other than some modest investment in healthcare and reducing education debt, this budget proves once again that Labor are not willing to put real investment into our future.”
Why This Matters
Let’s break it down:
- Housing Crisis: Housing prices are now 16.5 times the average household income, up from 9 times in the early 2000s. For most young people, owning a home is a pipe dream.
- Student Debt: HECS debts are now $10,000 higher in real terms than 20 years ago, while graduate wages have barely budged.
- Mental Health Pressures: Mental health disorders among young Australians have surged by 50% since 2007, as financial insecurity takes its toll.
And yet, instead of addressing these issues, the budget is packed with handouts to big business and billions for military spending.
A Growing Youth Movement
Tomorrow Movement isn’t just protesting—they’re building a powerful youth bloc ahead of the 2025 Federal Election. With young people making up 47% of voters, they’re determined to make their voices heard.
“This isn’t just about the budget,” said Jack Simmons, a 24-year old Tomorrow Movement organiser “It’s about whether young people will ever get a fair go in this country. We’re watching politicians throw billions at corporations while we struggle to pay rent. It’s time for young people to fight back and demand a government that actually works for us.”
The movement is part of a growing wave of youth-led activism across the country, inspired by groups like the Sunrise Movement in the US. In 2020, young Americans played a huge role in shaping Biden’s climate policies and turning out the youth vote. Now, Australian young people are ready to do the same.
What’s Next?
Tomorrow Movement is calling on young people across the country to join the fight for a fairer future—one where housing, education, and job security are prioritised over corporate profits and military spending.
“We’ve seen how powerful young people can be when we come together,” said Monique. “Politicians need to start listening, or they’ll find themselves on the wrong side of history.”
So, will Labor and Liberal finally start taking young people seriously? Or will they keep flushing our future down the toilet?
