Luke Simpkins (Cowan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the federal member for Cowan I have a lot involvement with schools across the electorate and I intend to be involved because I like to encourage the potential in our young people. I have a lot of faith that they will be great contributors to our nation in the future. Earlier this year I was at South Ballajura Primary School speaking with senior students about how parliament works.

This is a school with great diversity and perhaps it is a little more challenged by socioeconomic circumstances than those in other areas, but without doubt the children there have a potential the equal of children in any other schools across the electorate of Cowen or indeed across Australia. I enjoy visiting the school and it is made even better when I have contact with the nice young people there. I would particularly like to mention the three students who helped me pack up afterwards without being asked. So I thank you, Denim Eccles, Gaby Allan and Kyleigh McGuire. I hope that there will be more reasons for me to speak of you in the future.

I have a long involvement with the school. Several years ago I helped to arrange the quotes and then filled in the grant application that saw the school receive evaporative cooling. As I said, I have spoken many times at the school about parliament and about being a good citizen and community member. It is great to have these opportunities to visit South Ballajura primary and then speak of what a positive school it is. This is a school that has always been very professional and even-handed in its dealings with elected members of parliament. I appreciate that and thank principal Yvonne Arnott.

Although South Ballajura Primary School was never mentioned in a speech before I was the member, this is certainly not the first time I have done so. When I see young people with great potential and I see the schools assisting students to achieve that potential, that is something worth saying in this place and I will do it again.