Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to read a question from a young constituent from my electorate who won the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign. He writes:

My name is Edward Sethaphanich. I currently reside in the electorate of Mackellar. As the new parliament begins with the intention of promoting grassroot democracy, world peace and stability, members of parliament and senators should have the common interest of addressing the current state of this nation, as Australians face financial vulnerabilities and societal fears which stemmed from the effects of natural phenomenons which were once considered "once in a lifetime" events.

In the 47th parliament, members and senators alike should aim to achieve legislation that would radically improve our healthcare system as the system currently does not have the capacity to facilitate high quality health services on an affordable level.

It is also through this that members and senators in the 47th parliament should aim to implement large-scale monetary and fiscal corrections to ensure the stability of the Australian economy while alleviating the insecurities posed by rising inflation and global events.

However, an outcome which Australians together desire from this parliament is the genuine consideration of our ever changing climate and measures which could avoid the extinction of our society and the world.

Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to speak as a part of the Youth Voice in Parliament campaign run by Raise Our Voice Australia. This is a fantastic initiative which brings young Australian voices into the nation's parliament. This is a speech by Joel from the Hunter electorate:

My hope for the new Parliament is for it to achieve great progress and reform by working together towards the common goal of improving the lives and future of Australians.

I have a firm belief that Australia is the greatest country in the world, however, I am also aware of its downsides and where we are falling behind.

A country may be great, but it can always improve. I believe this new Parliament must ensure that it works together and makes great strides towards combatting the impacts of climate change and setting Australia up to be a role model in the creation and use of renewable energy.

My electorate of the Hunter especially must see great change, for our local economy and the lives of the local people.

Parliament must also help these new energy sectors grow but it is equally responsible to ensure that workers are not left behind.

A successful country must not leave anyone behind.

Thank you, Joel. Thank you for sending this through to us. We really appreciate it.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown (Ryan, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm proud to deliver this speech written by Poppy Kidd, aged 17, as part of Raise Our Voice Australia. Poppy says, 'As a young person, I think about how what parliament achieves today will influence what we accomplish in the future. There are always going to be new problems arising and we need sustainable solutions. So why are our youth, one of our most important assets to ensuring Australia's future, failing to meet current standards? Research shows Australian students are increasingly underprepared for their futures, with less participation in STEM subjects and languages other than English. Australia's youth will be the next people in this room. We will be nurses that care for you, entrepreneurs that grow our economy and scientists creating vaccines. However, PISA tests show that many Australian students are lacking in basic literacy and numeracy skills. This parliament needs to grow Australia's public education system by addressing the teacher shortage and creating equal access to quality education. We need to improve our curriculum so students have the knowledge to face the challenges of a rapidly changing world. It's impossible for this parliament to solve all of the issues, but it can change what we accomplish in the future by investing in our youth.' Thanks, Poppy.

Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak to the Youth Voice in Parliament campaign. I have received a number of excellent speeches. I received one today from Ethan Greenfield, who is 11 years old. Ethan says, 'I have lived with type 1 diabetes for seven years, and I am a proud JDRF advocate. It is tricky to live with type 1 diabetes but I have to deal with it. When my blood sugar levels are really high or really low I find it hard to think or act normal. It is also hard for me to find new places to inject insulin because the skin on my body gets so sore from so many needles. Management of diabetes is always there and is hard for me but having a continuous glucose monitor, CGM, makes it a whole lot easier. I want to thank the government and everyone who has helped get CGM access for all. I feel very lucky to live in a country where this important technology is available to all those with type 1 diabetes. I look forward to the new parliament's support to turn type 1 into type none, so that no-one has to live with diabetes anymore. Please continue clinical research networks to find a cure for type 1 diabetes so that we don't have to keep dealing with it. I know that research holds the key and that scientists can find a cure someday. Thank you for your time today.' I would also like to congratulate his mother Kylie Greenfield, who is the JDRF national volunteer of the year.

Angie Bell (Moncrieff, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

'Mental health. Sitting in the corner not knowing what is going to come next. Will it be my fear or my concerns? Why is it never my dreams, my happy place? Does it always have to be worried and bad times? Something good would be nice for a change. Treacherous thoughts running through my head, mad am I, all alone, mindless of my surroundings. I want to dissolve into the atmosphere one part of my body at time until I'm as thin as air and go swish in the wind. Mum's always worrying if I'm okay. She thinks I am hurt. Checking in on me every day. Fighting fears, fighting concerns. It feels like I am trapped in a dark, empty room trying to get out. Waves of emotion. Every day I swim through gloomy waters. I can never see the shore. Hope and luck, things I don't have at the end of the day. I hate my body in every single way. Depression is a silent film. Underwater where nobody can help I am drowning because I won't talk about it. I cannot get out of my bed. Anxiety is always holding me hostage inside my hurting head. When people ask me, "Where am I?" they should just ask, "Where have I gone?" I don't have hope. I am dwelling in my darkness. What is hope? I have forgotten how it feels to smile and laugh. But I know joy will find me and let me run free. And I know that I am perfectly imperfect. I cannot go through these things alone. And hopefully out of the darkness help will come.' This is from Georgia Scantlebury, Trinity Lutheran College, Gold Coast

David Smith (Bean, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to let the voice of one of my younger constituents be heard: Malcolm—not that Malcolm! He says:

My name is Malcolm. I am 14, and I live in the Bean electorate. I go to a local high school, where I am in year 8.

Australia is the best country in the world, and we can make it miles ahead of the rest, if the parliament just put their head down and made some changes.

On the 21st of May, Australians voted for change. Changing our childcare and aged care system to be more friendly to kids, residents and families. Changing our constitution to recognize the people that have inhabited our wide brown land for 60,000 years, and changing our head of state to be elected by the people, for the people and be of the people.

My ideal Australia is one where people are valued by their government.

Valued with high speed rail to connect our eastern centres.

Valued with government services that are valued themselves, not cut constantly.

Valued with highly skilled jobs, for fair wages.

Valued with a measured, but effective policy on our climate.

Valued with progressive, but pragmatic social policies, so Australians can live to their full potential.

Valued with a government that works as hard as they do, so Australia can be a shining beacon of opportunity.

Malcolm, we will not let you or the other constituents of Bean down.

Sam Birrell (Nicholls, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As part of the Raise Our Voice Australia initiative, I have pleasure in amplifying the voice of 17-year-old Campbell Frost in my electorate. Campbell wrote:

When looking at the prompt for this year's voices to parliament, "What should Australia's new parliament accomplish?" my initial thought was action, whether that be on climate change, income inequality or a plethora of other issues.

But as I sat there, I realised that what the 47th parliament of Australia should accomplish is simple. Unity.

Whether Left, Right, Regional or Metropolitan, the electorates that each and every individual sitting in parliament today represents, is a universal trust in the democratic process.

That the very people in both chambers will speak for the general population with integrity and candour.

So on behalf of the Australian People, I ask, find common ground. Do not let Australia become a victim of the war on bi-partisanship we've seen sweep many western democracies.

Your colleagues across the aisle are not your enemy, they're there to represent their electorate, as you do yours, don't give up an opportunity to further our nation just because you believe your job is to simply disagree with another party.

Listen, Reflect, and, Act, on what fellow members and senators have to say, with a little bit of empathy and willingness to navigate and find solutions.

Make this nation what we know it all can be, one of compassion and strength, with the same virtues represented in every Australian.

In closing, unity in this country is about more than just saying you're Australian, it's about acknowledging our differences, and working together to build something better.

Thank you so much for that Campbell. As I look at some of my friends across the aisle—the members for Spence and Cunningham particularly—I think we can find that common ground