"I don't do politics"

My beef with political neutrality

Hearing “I don’t do politics” never used to concern me.

In my early twenties, I didn’t care for politics or elections. It wasn’t something my friends and I spoke about. I didn't check policies or watch debates.

Politics felt distant.

Just another topic argued over the dinner table. Labor vs Liberal. Democracy vs Republic. It felt confusing, divisive, and frankly, irrelevant to my daily life. With a lack of understanding naturally came a lack of interest.

Why would I care who my friends voted for when I didn’t even care who I voted for?

I genuinely didn’t give a fuck.

But I suppose, somewhere along the way, politics became a lot more than Red vs Blue.

My best friend took her own life after surviving domestic abuse, and suddenly, mental health, suicide prevention, and the fight against gender-based violence stopped being abstract issues. They became deeply personal. A new lens through which I began to see the world.

Slowly, I realised politics isn't all that separate from real life.

It’s essentially the framework we use to shape our society. The ongoing process by which we decide – together – what kind of community, country, and world we want to build and live in.

Politics decides whether we extend a helping hand or build higher walls for refugees. Whether minorities are made to feel safe or marginalised. Whether gender-based violence is addressed or dismissed.

It determines how we respond to climate change, whether people can afford to rent or buy, and if women can safely access reproductive healthcare.

“If you ‘don’t do’ politics, trust me – politics will do you”

— Christina Engela

I've come to question the “I don't do politics” mindset, because everything is political. Politics infiltrates every facet of our lives.

And by choosing to ignore it, you leave important conversations – and life-altering decisions – up to others. You remove yourself from the very discussions that shape your future. Our shared reality.

To say you’re just ‘not into politics’ is, in itself, a political stance.

While it may feel neutral or safe, it’s often steeped in privilege – the luxury of not having your basic rights, safety, or existence regularly debated by lawmakers.

Politics can be as simple as looking beyond yourself. It's about empathy. About recognising how policies affect the lives and wellbeing of others. Even if they don’t impact you directly.

We only need to look to the U.S. political climate right now to understand why this matters: women being denied safe access to abortion, migrants being dehumanised and wrongfully deported, and pro-Palestinian protesters facing suppression and arrest.

These are not just distant “issues” – they are people’s lives.

“When you say you’re ‘just not into politics,’ what you’re really saying is ‘the system is working well for me, and I don’t really need to worry about it’”

— Prabha Nandagopal

The beauty of democracy is that it's powered by ordinary people making choices. Your perspective, your experiences, and your vote carry weight.

When you speak up for what you believe in, you create ripples of change. You influence those around you. You become part of something bigger than yourself.

The world changes when millions of people, like you and me, decide to pay attention, speak up, and take action on the things we care about.

But where do I even start?

Elections in Australia and the US have already passed this year, but it’s never too early (or too late) to become politically engaged. Your voice matters.

1. Connect with your values
   What matters most to you? Climate action? Access to education? Healthcare for all? Your values are inherently political. Get clear on what you stand for. Learn more about these issues. Get informed. Knowledge empowers action.

2. Have conversations
   Talk with friends and family about issues that matter to you. Listen with curiosity. Share your perspective. Challenge misinformation. Politics doesn’t need to be a heated debate – it can happen over coffee or dinner.

3. Take action
   Seek out voices different from your own, especially those from marginalised communities. Amplify their stories. Support causes you believe in. Sign petitions. Attend events. Get involved. Small actions, collectively, create powerful change.

Your voice (and vote) is so much more important than you think.

YOU have so much more power than you think.

Don’t ever forget that.