Penny Allman-Payne (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I am deeply honoured to be given the opportunity today to deliver speeches written by young Queenslanders as part of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign. In particular, I want to give a shout-out to Aleena and Maram from Chancellor State College for their excellent speeches and also for their patience in waiting for me to read them out. Aleena from Chancellor State College says:

Today I want to talk about making food prices lower. Food isn't just a want, it's a need for life. Food these days costs an arm and a leg.

People have to plan their weeks worth of money on food. They spend half or more of their income on food. We have to ensure that food prices are fair and that everybody has food to live.

Together with a bit of support from parliament we could make children grow happily and healthy. I believe this could happen!

Thanks, Aleena. I completely agree.

Maram from Chancellor State College says:

Today, I want to talk about rental homes. Many families rent their houses. Rentals are not just homes; they are places of hope, dreams, and stability. Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live.

Renting can also be complex. Some people struggle to find affordable options. Prices can be too high, making it hard for families to thrive. We need to ensure that rental prices are fair and that everyone has access to a good home. This will help communities grow and support families in need.

Let us come together to create better rental solutions. We can work on laws that protect tenants and ensure safe living conditions.

Together, we can build a brighter future where no one is left behind. Imagine a world where every child can grow up safe and happy in their home. I believe we can make this happen!

Thanks, Maram. I'm concerned about rental affordability too, and I couldn't agree with you more.

Thank you to both Aleena and Maram for taking the time and effort to raise your voices and to share your ideas with the parliament. You should both be proud.