Zoe Daniel (Goldstein, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The young people of Goldstein want climate action. Last week, a group of 22 year 6 students from seven schools across Goldstein came together for my Goldstein Youth Forum, in a mock sitting at the Victorian state parliament, to debate and vote on the issues they're most passionate about. We discussed smoking and vaping, racism, homelessness and the future of our planet. Debate on climate change was intense but, unlike what happens in this place, consensus was quickly reached: 'Everyone knows about it but isn't doing enough,' and 'Students are doing as much as we can but we know it's not enough.'

This week, in the lead up to the next COP summit, I met with an inspiring group of youth leaders from UNICEF, Plan International and the Earthly Institute who voiced their concerns about the future of our climate. Young leaders want the government to take action to mitigate the impact of climate change, to support the transition of developing nations and to show leadership by hosting COP31. We have a duty to protect and preserve the planet which future generations will live in, and I very much thank the young people for their time and their diligence, and, especially, for being a part of my youth forum and for helping to speak their truth in this chamber.