Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] I'm delighted to read a speech by Franklin Legge, a 14-year-old student from Clark as part of the Youth Voice in Parliament Week campaign:

'What do I want Australia to look like in 20 years? I want our leaders to stand up for our national interests, not their own personal ones. I want parliament to be a place of productivity, safety and democracy. Regardless of who produces the policy that comes out of the place, it should be rational and reasonable.

Some may believe that this is exactly what's happening today, but I view things differently. I believe that politics in Australia have become a point-scoring game; when policy is drafted it seeks to gain the most votes rather than to help the most people, like putting off the impending climate crisis, letting poverty run rampant, discouraging migrants from improving our economy and doing nothing for the Indigenous communities who have been scarred by deaths in custody. That's all because we are inactive and unable to produce legislation that helps society, not powerful people.

We can solve many problems if we work together. My vision for the future is bright and optimistic; green and clean; economically prosperous; multicultural and diverse; safe and fair. Please leaders: I urge you to put others first before yourselves so Australia's future can be positive for everyone.'

I say thank you to Franklin and thank you, Deputy Speaker.