Trevor Evans (Brisbane, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to inform honourable members of the creation of a new parliamentary friendship group, the Parliamentary Friends of Young People. Our parliament doesn't necessarily reflect the aged make-up of Australia's population, yet we are all young at heart, represent young people and have a keen interest in ensuring a bright future for them and for our country. Alongside my co-chair, the member for Mayo, our new friendship group provides an additional way for younger Australians to access and interact with parliament and our democratic processes. It provides a forum for members and senators to meet and interact with young members of society, visiting youth leaders, students, advocates for young people and so on.

Last month, our parliamentary friendship group held its first formal event in conjunction with the Parliamentary Friends of Disability. We heard from Youngcare and the Summer Foundation, who gave us some interesting insights into the future landscape with the NDIS, particularly as it relates to younger people with a disability and their carers. I want to thank some of our famous guests at that dinner—Darren Lockyer, Nathan Sharpe, John Aloisi, Amy Parmenter and our MC, Sylvia Jefferies. I also want to thank all of my honourable colleagues who were able to attend, and I trust that they learnt a lot. I encourage members and senators to join us at future events so that together we can give a stronger voice to younger people in Canberra.