Rex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Today I'll be delivering a speech on behalf of Maddy Nyp, as part of the Youth Voice in Parliament Week:

My electorate is Mayo.

We live in the era of change. Personally, I am facing one of the biggest changes in my life right now; leaving school.

The future I pitch for myself is bright—finally being able to focus on what I love, on having the freedoms of the adult world.

But, there is also fear—fear of the unknown, of change.

One thinks of the threats our country faces, of the fear tainting our future.

The biggest that comes to mind is climate change—especially in the months leading up to UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change].

The rules for the future are being set, and change is beginning.

In twenty years, I would pray that my family's property remains green.

That those who live on the coast do not lose their homes.

That disease, much like what we face now, remains absent.

I have been privileged to be raised alongside nature. I'd pray that the generations to come are as lucky.

History is a cruel mirror. We cannot choose how we are reflected by it.

But if we have any hope of our generations looking back at us favourably, we need to act.

We need to listen to the voices of youth. We need decisive and swift actions. Members of parliament, the time for change is now.

Good on you, Maddy. Thank you for this message to your parliament. Senators, we should be listening.