Young hearts running free

FOR three young women voting for the first time this year, job opportunities, equality, health and education are among the issues they say are important for Tasmania’s future.

Bella Alcorso is planning to travel then study interstate, but hopes to return to Tasmania, and Charlotte Young and Amy Pailthorpe both want to study at the University of Tasmania and see a future for themselves in the state.

The three 18-year-olds finished Year 12 at Hobart’s Fahan School in 2017.

“When I’d raise a family, I would definitely come back to Tasmania,” Ms Alcorso said.

She plans to spend the year travelling and working before studying for a Bachelor of Professional Communication at RMIT in Melbourne.

Ms Alcorso said job opportunities would be the main drawcard to bring her back to her home state after she finishes her degree.

She said better health services and equal opportunities for all Tasmanians were important.

Amy Pailthorpe said she would like to see more hospital funding and more jobs available, and more done to help Tasmanians get involved in playing sport.

“Education is another important thing ... making sure it’s available to all people. That’s the hardest part, and when people are able to go to school, helping to keep them there,” Ms Pailthorpe said.

She is still deciding between a paramedics degree or studying to become a health and physical education teacher.

Whichever course she chooses, though, Ms Pailthorpe said she wanted to stay in Tasmania for her studies.

“I really wanted to stay in Tassie because I love it here,” she said.

“I may work elsewhere. I’ve always had a dream to go to Canada to work for a few years ... but if I happen to raise a family I would love to raise a family [in Tasmania].”

Ms Young, who said she would most likely study medicine at UTAS, also wants to experience other places.

“I’d like to explore other places ... but I’m sure I’ll end up coming back here because it’s so nice,” she said.

“I like how everyone knows each other and it’s small and personal.”

When she casts her vote at the State Election in a few months, Ms Young said she would be thinking about equality, particularly gender equality, and the environment.

“That’s something I’m quite passionate about,” she said of the environment.

“Preserving the climate, especially in Tasmania where we have such a beautiful climate.”