Graham Perrett (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Raise Our Voice Australia aims to amplify diverse, young, female, trans and non-binary voices to lead conversations in politics. Today I am reading a speech from Kira, a year 11 student from my electorate, who cares deeply about human rights.

As a representative of young Australians I would like the new Parliament to aim for a larger variety of representation and acknowledgement for minority groups across Australia. Only this year have we achieved a place in Parliament for First Nations women, and although this was an amazing change it was due a long time ago. Generation Z is full of brave, diverse but also struggling people who need to know that they are supported and seen. For people of colour who were taught not long ago that their rights weren't as important as others; for LGBTQIA people who were only given permission to marry who we love in 2016; to those with disabilities, who still struggle with the stigma and belief that they are less; and for the young and old First Nations people, who have been in Australia for over 60,000 years and are still struggling to have the statement of their hearts recognised, having someone in Parliament who we, as diverse young people, can relate to, understand and feel comforted by is of utmost importance. Australia is a nation of multicultural diversity. This needs to be reflected by our Parliament, the representatives of our country, now.

Thank you, Kira, for the opportunity to share your words here in your Parliament today.

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