Patrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is the day that girls take over the parliament. I'm pleased to deliver this speech on behalf of Zahra Moinkhah, who is the honorary federal member for Perth. She is in the chamber today. She is one of some 60 young women aged between 13 and 24 who have taken over this place today. This program, from the not-for-profit institution Jasiri Australia, encourages young women to consider a career in politics. It gives them the opportunity to see that they can do it.

Zahra is passionate about promoting and encouraging young women to pursue their dreams and to work towards obtaining careers in leadership positions. I have no doubt that we will see her in this place, or possibly somewhere even more powerful, in the near future. She is doing a double degree in international relations and marketing at the ANU. She's one of the parliamentary liaison officers for the Girls Takeover Parliament program. She is one of the 60 incredibly impressive young women who are making a real difference in this place today. They have been placed in offices on all sides of the parliament. I think it's great to see that it has been embraced by members on all sides. Over the past few years there have been some 260 participants, and 67 per cent of those young women have gone on to hold leadership positions in organisations.

Friday was the International Day of the Girl Child. I met with some 14 girl guides from Western Australia and talked about mental health, climate change and gender equality.

Kevin Andrews (Menzies, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I call the honourable member for Page.