Fiona Phillips (Gilmore, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This speech was written by Heather Coulston, aged 10, from my electorate of Gilmore thanks to Raise Our Voice Australia.

Constant terror; lots of death; crackling fire, trees ablaze; churning rivers meet our feet; inky black clouds, lives blown away; this is what our future brings because of the mess we've made.

This future terrifies me.

If we continue what we are doing our future will be devoted to drought, fire, flood and storms.

I am asking the Australian Government to put in place legislation that will help slow down climate change.

Stop any plans for new oil, gas or coal mining projects and shut down the old ones we have in Australia.

Instead transition to renewable energy sources and support jobs and support for renewables.

By 2030 I want to have change, not just some change, but change as in we plant more trees, put solar panels on every house and we take down the mines.

I refuse to accept living in constant terror of fire, storms, drought and flood.

I don't want to die in an extreme weather event.

And as adults of the future we're going to be the leaders, we can continue the change but it MUST start now.

All of you have the power to make the right decision and change lives.

For me and all the kids of Australia I ask for one thing—change our future, save our future.

Well done Heather, and thank you for your contribution.