Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for the Republic) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm introducing Brydie Zorz, and her speech as part of Raise our Voice Australia's Youth Voice in Parliament program:

My name is Brydie, and I'm a proud 18-year-old Wiradjuri woman currently living and studying on Bidjigal land in the Kingsford Smith electorate.

When I think of what I want Australia to look like in the next 20 years, I am immediately reminded of the words of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, specifically the line 'When we have power over our destiny, our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.'

This reflects a hope for a future we all share: that we will leave our country in a better place for our children and the generations that follow.

The youth of this country, especially First Nations youth, deserve a future based on justice and self-determination.

We deserve a say on the issues that affect us and for our voices to be taken seriously. We deserve the future our ancestors fought for.

I think of a future where First Nations voices are heard, of my children learning about the true history of this country, and how we all address the issues currently affecting First Nations peoples today.

First Nations youth deserve a future that allows us to take our rightful place in this country, one where we are valued, our culture is respected and our voices heard.

Support for the Uluru statement is clear. Walk with us to ensure this future becomes a reality.

Thank you, Brydie, for your outstanding work, and thank you to all the young Australians who took part in the Youth Voice in Parliament program.