Max Chandler-Mather (Griffith, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to read a speech prepared by a young person in my electorate of Griffith named Hayden as part of our raise our voice program:

Hello, I am Hayden from the Griffith electorate and I'm currently 17 years old and in year 12, and as I see it, the next event as a pivotal moment in Australia's national journey. To seize the opportunity of creating a national community envied by the world, comprehensive social reforms must be achieved by future national parliaments.

As a young person myself, I look to the future with hesitation and a sense of fear that the current government of Australia is not doing enough to create a better nation for the people. Housing and education are issues that terrify the young people of Australia.

How will we cope? At this current trajectory set by the two major parties, we won't.

The introduction of further rental caps and limitations on property ownership, coupled with an ambitious housing construction program reminiscent of the 20th-century housing commission, is essential to combat the housing crisis that's already passed dangerous levels. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 28,200 people aged 12-24 years were estimated to have been experiencing homelessness and the scary part is how fast that number is growing.

We must also prioritise the abolition of higher education fees, providing free further education for the nation's citizens and undergoing the harmful reforms of John Howard. With HECS debt having increased by a further $1723 to an outstanding $26,494 over the last financial year.

It is not a great ask, nor is it radical, to give the citizens of Australia the right to be housed affordably and have the opportunity of higher education for all.

The people of Australia have had enough and as a representative of democracy, the parliament of Australia should mirror these outcries and work to create and envisioned and desired Australian community that focuses on the greater benefit of our fellow citizens.

I couldn't agree more, Hayden.

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