House debates

Thursday, 14 September 2023

Statements by Members

National Leadership Forum

1:56 pm

Photo of Luke GoslingLuke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

It is my great pleasure to co-host the National Leadership Forum alongside the member for Berowra, former shadow minister for Indigenous Australians and former shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser. Since 1997, the National Leadership Forum has been held in Canberra, hosted by MPs and senators for a group of nominated young leaders from across Australia. They are here in the chamber with us today. Each year, the forum has been addressed by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, as it will be this year after question time.

The purpose of the forum is to counter the cynicism young people often feel towards the political system and to grow their understanding of their own leadership foundations. It seeks to promote a model of servant leadership. We all come to this place from different positions, different philosophical starting points, but more often than not we do work together in a bipartisan way in this place, even though it doesn't get recognised that often in the media.

I want to recognise the talented Territorians—yep, from the north—that are here and taking part in this year's forum: Liam Bushell, Cam Adams, Sian Howell, Ira Racines, Stuart Boyd, Ben Staunton and Alicia Boyd. I thank all parliamentarians from all sides of the House for taking groups into their offices this afternoon.