Matt Smith (Leichhardt, Australian Labor Party) | Hansard source

A few months ago I was holding a community event on stuff for youth to do on the northern beaches of Cairns. A young man who was working with Thrive and Connect had come along. He had a lot to say. He was an interesting young fellow. I asked him to intern with me, and he came in for a week. As I do with all my interns and work experience people, I got him to write me a speech. These the words of Ngong Arou, a Sudanese refugee based in Box Hill but up in Cairns playing footy:

A letter to the government .

One of my earliest memories is sitting in an airport in Egypt with my brothers, watching planes through the window while my parents were being questioned before travelling back to Australia. We were too young to understand what was happening, but looking back, I often think about that moment.

What if my parents had been told no?

What if we had never boarded that plane?

When we arrived in Australia, I couldn't speak English. I remember hearing it for the first time and not understanding a single word. Everything was new and unfamiliar. But what I quickly came to understand was kindness.

My family settled in Box Hill, Melbourne, where we were welcomed by a community that cared. Neighbours looked after one another, schools supported families, and people made us feel like we belonged. They didn't see us as strangers; they saw us as part of the community.

Growing up, I was protected by my family and guided by the values they taught me. Like many young people, I made mistakes along the way, but those experiences taught me the importance of responsibility, gratitude and making the right choices.

Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and have led me to where I am today. I now live in Cairns and work with Thrive and Connect, supporting young people who are often misunderstood, overlooked, or struggling to find their place in the world. Through that work, I have the privilege of helping young people find their voice, discover their purpose, and realise their potential. In many ways, I see parts of my younger self in them, and I hope to give them the same support, guidance and sense of belonging that was given to me.

Today, I simply want to say thank you. Thank you to Australia, and thank you to the communities that welcomed my family and gave us the opportunity to build a better future.

Australia is better because Ngong is here. He works hard in Cairns. He's a role model to young people. He worked hard in my office. I am so proud to have been able to read his words today, I'm so proud of what his family has brought to this country and I thank him for being here.

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