Zoe McKenzie (Flinders, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Hansard source

Today I was thrilled to join my colleagues across the parliamentary spectrum to launch the National Youth Parliament for 2026. Anyone who follows my social media channels in my electorate knows that there is no more enthusiastic supporter of civics education than me. The program we launched today at midday will bring 150 high school students, one from every electorate, to Canberra for five days to step into our shoes, learning how bills are drafted, debated and passed into law. The need for such a program is clear. In the most recent National Assessment Program report on civics and citizenship, only 43 per cent of year 6 students were found to be at or above the proficient standard, and, more concerningly, only 28 per cent of year 10 students met the proficient standard.

I've been running what I like to call 'democracy class' in schools right across my electorate for years, and I've seen firsthand the untapped passion for civics in our classrooms. Questions from grade 5 and grade 6 students are fascinating, full of curiosity and compassion and ideas for our nation's future. Last week, I visited Dromana Secondary College and spoke to kids between years 7 and 12, and I was blown away by their interest and most especially their passion for public policy and political life. To these students and many others like them, I say expressions of interest are now open. If you're a young person who'll be 16 or 17 this time next year, this is your time.

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