Ken Wyatt (Hasluck, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last Tuesday, I met an outstanding young woman from my electorate of Hasluck. Jenna Woods lives in Gosnells, down the southern end of my electorate, and, at 23 years old, is one of the youth members of the Parliament of Western Australia at this year's National Indigenous Youth Parliament.

The National Indigenous Youth Parliament is an initiative of the Australian Electoral Commission and the Museum of Australian Democracy. Participants will take part in a two-day simulated parliament at Old Parliament House this weekend. They will introduce legislation to this simulated parliament and debate the legislation. Following this, will provide a copy of the legislation to federal members of parliament in this House.

In addition to the simulated parliament, participants will take part in a number of leadership workshops and meet with parliamentarians from across the nation. I am pleased to be speaking with participants at their dinner this Friday evening and discussing with them the life of a member of parliament. I am particularly proud of Jenna. When we were talking about this opportunity last week, it was clear that she demonstrates exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.

Programs such as the National Indigenous Youth Parliament are critical to building the capacity of our young future leaders, and I congratulate the organisers of such a worthy initiative. I wish all participants good luck with the week ahead and look forward to catching up with Jenna when she gets back to Perth.

See this speech in context