Matt Gregg (Deakin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

As a former school teacher, I know just how far a little recognition can go. When we celebrate a young person, we build confidence, spark ambition and strengthen character. That is what the Deakin Shield awards are all about. Each year, every primary and secondary school in Deakin is given the opportunity to choose students whose achievements truly stand out. This is a special occasion every year to highlight the efforts of our young people and remind them that their community sees and values their hard work. What makes the Deakin Shield so special is that each school decides what the award should honour. Every school community has its own culture, values and priorities and its own goals for its students. This makes sure that every award is grounded in real experiences, real challenges and real triumphs.

The Deakin Shield, part of a long and proud bipartisan tradition in Deakin stretching back more than a decade, also reflects something bigger: a belief that every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. I'll take this opportunity again to say how proud I am to be part of a government that has put every public school on the path to full and fair funding. People in my community know that good outcomes and great education don't come about without the right investment. If we want students to achieve extraordinary things, we must give them the resources and opportunities that they need to do so. The Deakin Shield and our commitment to full and fair funding send a clear message that we believe in our schools, our teachers and our students. We want every young person to have the chance to thrive and to pursue great opportunities, and we're backing them to make it happen. I'm proud to play my small part in celebrating the achievements of so many people in our community. I'm sorry to miss a few presentations this week while I'm obviously here in Canberra, but I say to every award recipient: congratulations. You've made your families, your teachers and your school communities proud.

To everyone who has just wrapped up their VCE: congratulations on completing your exams. Enjoy a well-earned break, but please be safe and be responsible. We want to have you back in one piece in the coming months, because, whatever comes next, I believe that you'll be able to succeed, and I can't wait to see what you do with your talent and potential.

Our investment in schools demonstrates our commitment to the future of young people, and we're focusing on that with free TAFE, with investments in making sure that courses are available to our young people to pursue whatever dreams they want and making sure they're not going to be bogged down in debt and unable to buy their first house before they reach a point in life where it's almost too late. We're investing in the next generation to make sure that they can aspire to live lives better than the ones our parents and we are able to enjoy. That's the aim of the game, that's why we're in parliament and I'm so proud to be part of a government that is delivering for the young people of Australia.

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