Growing up together in politics

At the age of 24 back in 2006, Sarah found out that she had won the top spot on the Greens Senate ticket for an election that she then went on to win. Around the same time, Sarah also discovered she was pregnant.

Sarah: It feels like a long time ago – Kora is a good litmus test for how long it’s been! I was obviously very excited, both to be preselected and at the idea of having a baby. I’d been told it wouldn’t be easy for me to conceive, so although it wasn’t planned, it felt like an incredible opportunity.

I was probably less nervous than the people around me about managing the candidacy and my pregnancy. Some were quite direct in their concerns, even encouraging me not to continue as a candidate. I don’t respond well when people say I can’t do things, so I took it as a challenge.

The election campaign was unique in that having a baby in tow forced me to take moments to stop and gather my thoughts. I didn’t really have time to stress. Kora kept me grounded and gave me a real sense of purpose.

Kora: This is the only life I’ve known. Balancing personal life, family, and my mum’s professional life now feels like second nature to us. We know how to problem-solve together. There have been surprises and roadblocks, but we’ve persisted through it all.

As I’ve gotten older, it’s become easier because I can handle my own things now. When I was younger it was more difficult, especially with mum’s travel. Being apart can be hard. My friends’ families all lived in Adelaide without the same stresses around, whereas I was always busy, helping my mum and managing my own responsibilities.

Sarah: Being in a constant state of busyness can be straining on family life. But we always make sure to take breaks for each other and ourselves. When I come home from Canberra, we might make an active decision to go away together, and make sure we have plenty of concentrated time together.

No one likes constant change and uncertainty, except that’s what life is like as a politician and unfortunately your family have to go along for the ride. Kora’s had to be very flexible, and that’s a life skill that has set her in good stead.

Things are different now with my husband Ben at home to talk things through and debrief with. As a single mum I didn’t have that for a long time. But I relied on other people – you create a village. I never felt alone because I had Kora as my little companion, but it was harder when she started school and couldn’t travel with me as much. This isn’t exclusive to politics – teenagers discover very quickly that their friends are more important than their parents!

Kora: I travel less now. A typical week varies, but during busy school weeks I stay with my dad. I call mum every day, sometimes twice, and we talk about my schoolwork and life in general, and I ask about her projects.

Sarah: Kora got a phone very early on, she was about seven. I wouldn’t have wanted that if I’d had a different choice, but it’s an important way to keep that connection, even if it means running out of the chamber whispering when she calls me during question time. Kora’s really great at launching into whatever’s going on in her day, which helps keep me connected, and gives me a break from logistics, diaries and work.

“Being in a constant state of busyness can be straining on family life. But we always make sure to take breaks for each other and ourselves….No one likes constant change and uncertainty, except that’s what life is like as a politician and unfortunately your family have to go along for the ride.”

– Sarah Hanson-Young

Sarah: I’ve never sought to put Kora front and center in the public eye. Each interview or involvement has been discussed and deliberate, and I’ve always tried to allow it to be Kora’s decision whether she takes part or not. I don’t do a lot of publicity with Kora, but I also don’t hide her or our life. Kora always comes out with me on election day, for example.

Kora: As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten myself more involved in campaigning. I love being involved in those aspects, and I’ve met so many amazing people through that. Everyone knows who I am and who my mum is, and it’s been easy to make friends and connections in the Greens family because of that.

Growing up in front of the media, I didn’t want to be known as Sarah Hanson-Young’s daughter. I wanted to be my own person. As a toddler, there was a lot of publicity around me being removed from the chamber. It was upsetting because I felt I had done something wrong, and I didn’t want that to be the reason people knew me.

Now that I’m older I’m ok talking about it. I have friends who support me and my mum, and they know these stories. They also love hearing about mum’s adventures in the Greens. And you know we’ll all be voting in the next election, mum!

“Growing up in front of the media, I didn’t want to be known as Sarah Hanson-Young’s daughter. I wanted to be my own person. “

– Kora Young

Kora: Communication and compromise is key. Take time for each other, trust your kids and have those open conversations about whatever their life may be like when you’re not there, everything and anything.

Sarah: Don’t hide from the hard stuff, especially with kids. They pick up what their parents are talking about around the kitchen table. There are a few times something had blown up and I hadn’t brought Kora into the conversation. She had no idea what was going on – the first time she heard about it was when some kid asked her about it in the playground. That was a lesson for me.

The social media and the negative media is really hard too. You’ll never be able to shield your kids from it, so you might as well have an open conversation. That also means creating a safe space for your kids to be able to reflect back negative stuff that they may hear, and not take it on themselves or hide it.

Kora: When you’re with family, try to be present and talk to your kids about things other than work. Everyone has a work voice, but it’s about turning it off at the right time.

Sarah: She once said to me “You’re not in Senate estimates, mum!”

Kora: Yes, it can be challenging at times, but for families to be able to get involved in the work and the campaigning, to help out where they can…I’ve found it really helps with the relationship. And it’s so rewarding to be part of it.

“Communication and compromise is key. Take time for each other, trust your kids and have those open conversations about whatever their life may be like when you’re not there.“

– Kora Young