Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

As part of the Raise Our Voice program Youth Voice in Parliament Week, I would like to use my time to amplify the voice of a young woman from Canberra, Grace Eveille, and read a speech she has written:

My name is Grace I am 20 years old, and I would like Australia's new parliament to achieve and focus on equality in the workplace.

I chose a career pathway and studied to become an early childhood educator because I am passionate about early childhood education.

Knowing I am teaching young children is a steppingstone for children to become whom they want to be, to help their pathway into primary school education and far beyond...

Our industry is fraught with challenges, staff retention is one of the biggest.

To put it simply—our pay rate is one of the lowest in this country.

Whilst we look after your precious children to give them the best start in life we barely can afford to live.

Rising costs of living are scary as a young independent adult living out of home who wants to just make a go at life and living with Type 1 Diabetes, a serious chronic illness, means very little change at the end of the week..

However, I am forever thankful to the Albanese Government and the support from my local MP Alicia Payne for supporting JDRF Australia's Access For All campaign and funding CGM access for everybody.

This technology is and will be life-changing and lifesaving for so many.

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