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

I would like to read a speech by Jemima, a 14-year-old student from Clark, as part of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign.

My name is Jemima and I am 14 years old. As an athlete passionate about my sport and many others, I believe that we should have better facilities at the Queens Domain athletics centre. It's often embarrassing when competing against athletes from other states and realizing our facilities are lacking.

They planned to put a new track down, but then that idea was shut down, and the current track is in poor condition. Additionally, the gym is in a tin shed and is the size of a classroom. The equipment is also falling apart.

Many talented athletes are leaving the sport or traveling due to the lack of opportunities and funding. I believe that if we improved our facility, more people would fall in love with the sport, and we might have more athletes from Tassie going to the Olympics.

I know that other people's ideas might be more interesting, but I really want to go further with my sport and better facilities would be really helpful with that. I really hope that you consider my idea and have a really strong think about it.

I say: thank you, Jemima, for your speech.