Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I recently visited Star of Sea College in Brighton to have a consideration with year 11 and year 12 young women who are studying global politics and legal studies. I want to say what a wonderful experience it was to hear directly from engaged, talented, switched-on young women taking an interest in the world beyond them. I have to say that some of the questions they asked me were challenging at the best of times. They asked me specifically on the challenges facing displaced refugees in Jordan and Lebanon from the Syrian crisis. They spoke at length to me about—and I won't ignore the irony of it—issues around a republic and issues of citizenship. And today may be an auspicious day to remind ourselves of the context of that discussion. They also asked me about the enduring question around marriage for same-sex couples, and we had a very honest and open conversation about the position of the Liberal Party and, more importantly, how we're going to resolve this issue to take the country forward together, which has always been my position.

So I just want to say to the professional, smart and switched-on young women of Star of the Sea College, thank you very much for having me down to talk about these issues. I particularly want to extend my thanks to the principal of Star of the Sea College, Ms Mary O'Connor, and teachers Peter Farrar, Andrew Dexter and Bernadette Turner for an excellent and engaging morning.