Brian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Recently, I received a letter from one of my constituents: nine-year-old Violet from Glenfern in the Derwent Valley. Violet writes: 'Dear Prime Minister,'—and I thank her for the promotion!—'I am a nine-year-old from Tasmania. I am writing to you because I want to reverse climate change. I don't like all the pollution in the sea; all the animals need help. The fish are eating plastic, then we're eating those fish. And it is getting warmer, which is melting the ice, which causes it to flood. So can you please help reverse climate change? I'm worried for my future,'—and, I'm pleased to say that Violet says she is worried for her brother too—'Please help for a better future.' It's assigned, 'Violet'.

Young voices like Violet's are calling out desperately for this government to take serious action on climate change and to be part of a global solution to the crisis. On 20 September, students across the country and across the globe will gather together to strike for climate justice. I know this is a controversial topic for some, who don't like seeing kids go out of school to strike for climate change, but direct action has a long and proud history in striking for change.

These kids are striking for their future. They know that as adults we have failed the test so far, and that's why we are seeing more voices like Violet's, from young people saying, 'We need action on climate change and we need it now.'