Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm really pleased to speak on behalf of Indiana Hehir, a 16-year-old young person from Wide Bay. Indiana is one of nine Young Ambassadors for UNICEF Australia who are consulting with children and young people across the nation to listen to what's important to them. UNICEF supports young people to advocate for the rights of children and young people. Children and young people are experts in their own lives, so who better to understand them than themselves.

A few weeks ago I met with Indi in Gympie and she shared with me the work that she and the team are doing. Some of the things that Indi heard during her consultations in Gympie included: students respond to different styles of learning; young people want to learn more life skills; and they want more attention given to the environment.

Indi is continuing her consultations in Queensland during the first week of December to ensure regional and young people with diverse experiences are heard. The most important part of the consultation is that they are hearing, firsthand, what matters to children and young people in Australia. Indi and the other Young Ambassadors will release their findings next year. It was a pleasure to meet Indi, and I commend her for the great work that she is doing.

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