I want to put it on the record that I completely object to the idea that "young people are lazy". That's a lazy stereotype and does not fit the young unemployed people I talk to. Of course, it's really important to focus on trying hard to find a job, but much more than a "good attitude" is needed these days to land even an entry-level job. I tried hard, but I still found it tough to get work as an early school-leaver without work experience, qualifications or personal contacts.

My message to policy makers is to put themselves in the shoes of the young people looking for work.

With youth unemployment soaring – more than a quarter of a million aged 15 to 24 remain unemployed – the big push seems to be for people to go to university. But one size does not fit all. I think that well-structured programs in the community that help jobless youth build transitional skills to get into the workforce are very important for those not suited to higher study. I am not a fan of all work-for-the-dole schemes, either, but I did benefit from one well-run community based program that was established when John Howard was prime minister.

I'd be the first person to also stick my hand up and say that I've had a great opportunity being elected to the Senate. I am now 34 years old, and I did not go to university like most people my age who enter politics. I have worked my way through a series of manual occupations. The main part of my working life has been in the tannery and timber industries, where I worked hard to achieve leading hand, shop steward and supervisory roles. But the businesses where I worked in both industries suffered downturns. So, there have been other, shorter periods in my life when I've been working as a casual and had my hours cut, or I've been out of work entirely, which put great strain on my wife and five children. I remember one time, in my 20s, applying for a job in a florist's shop to boost our income – I didn't even score an interview.

The growing unemployment problem in Australia was further amplified for me when I was confirmed as a senator but had to wait about nine months to take up the role officially. I ended up not having an on-going job to fill that gap. I found myself unemployed again, this time in my 30s. The bills didn't pay themselves and I applied for anything and everything before I got work through a contact at a small timber mill near home.