Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to commend the many students and young people in the electorate of Robertson who entered the Raise Our Voice Australia competition this year to write a speech to be read by members in this chamber. Many students from the Central Coast wrote great and outstanding speeches. I want to congratulate each and every one of them for the time and effort they put in. I hope to be able to read more of them into the Hansard in the coming weeks because they really do reflect a disparate, diverse but very considered range of views on Australia, our future and global affairs.

Today I would like to read this speech of John Thomas, 19 years of age, from the electorate of Robertson. His speech begins: 'Australia, it's my home, my country. Each and every single person on this island continent for better or worse is family—one people yet many. We yell and we scream but in the end we care.

What is my vision for Australia over the next 20 years? In the distant horizon of time's infinite possibilities I dare to see to grasp for a greater country. I dare to see the gap closed. I dare to hear no more lies broadcast over TV, radio lines. I dare to speak, debate and celebrate change. I dare to dream of a nation united, despite our different faces and races. Our coat of arms, a kangaroo and an emu, are animals that race forward not back. Let's not forget that. Yet like a dingo that can turn its head 360 degrees, let's not forget our past. Australia's scars and sins are overbearing and vast. Economics, politics and climate have all been divisive. I dare to pray we share more than our opinions one day.'

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