Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the member for Mayo, one of my priorities is to listen to the voices of young people. A fortnight ago, I hosted my own youth forum, and last Saturday night I attended Saturday Nite Live, a youth group in Mount Barker. Saturday Nite Live provides a safe place for young people to hang out. Last weekend, they held question day, where they asked a number of community leaders questions. So I asked some questions of my own. I said, 'What would you do if you were Prime Minister for the day?' Their responses inspired and humbled me. Twelve-year-old Crystal said she would fix gender wage inequality. At 12, she is afraid that we still have wage disparity of nearly 20 per cent. Seventeen-year-old Abby said everyone needs a home. Abby recognised that homelessness exists in our Adelaide Hills community and that many families spend years waiting to secure housing.

Young people get it. They understand what the real issues are, and we need to heed their voices. We do not have a minister for youth in this parliament, so I encourage every member in this chamber to hold their own youth forums so the three million young people aged 15 to 24 have a tangible connection to this place.