Mr Campbell was announced on Thursday as the Australian Greens candidate for Wannon at the next federal election.

Kicking off his campaign, Mr Campbell highlighted his key policy platforms and said it was important to have a diverse range of candidates who offered different perspectives.

“Some of the policies we have differ from both the major parties at the moment,” he said. “That includes being compassionate to refugees, political donation reform, bringing in a federal ICAC, among other things. More importantly, bringing in a 90 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. It’s about providing options and alternatives, and showing how Australia can be the best it can be.”

Mr Campbell said he was honoured to have been endorsed as the Greens candidate for the federal poll, which has to be held before January 14 next year.

He said he looked forward to contributing ideas, opportunities and alternatives for the electorate.

“For this election, I will be showing how we can move Australia into the 21st century economically, socially and environmentally,” Mr Campbell said.

Increasing the renewable energy target to 90 per cent by 2030 is a key policy for the Greens candidate.

“You can’t create a 21st century economy with a 19th century energy system,” Mr Campbell said. “Wannon is rich in renewable energy with solar, wind, tidal and geothermal all at our door step.”

Other policy platforms include giving farmers the legal right to protect their land against coal and gas companies and political donations reform. Mr Campbell said marriage equality should be considered by a democratic vote in parliament. The 23-year-old is studying education at Warrnambool’s Deakin University campus and said he had discovered his father was born in Warrnambool while researching his family history. He contested the state election in 2014 and by-election in 2015, representing the Greens.