Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for the opportunity to adjourn this debate, and particularly to start by thanking the wonderful attendance today from the student delegations from my electorate, particularly from Firbank Grammar and Haileybury Grammar, who both came to this parliament with their classes for one of the first times. It is only when you see the energy and idealism of young Australians, who have come into this place asking questions and probing about the future of our democracy, that you truly feel the sense of vitality of the purpose which we are here for.

When you look at the energy in their eyes while they ask important, difficult and challenging questions about the future of our country, this place comes alive. I recognise their contribution and their attendance today as part of the many school groups who attend this parliament from the Goldstein electorate. I want to say to all members, in light of adjourning this debate, that every time we see children engaged in our democracy what we are seeing is the future of our country. The contributions that they can make, and making sure that they have an ongoing enduring, inquiring mind, makes an important contribution to preserving our liberal democratic order into the future.

House adjourned at 20:00