Jodie Belyea (Dunkley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In my first speech, I spoke about my lifelong commitment to listening and supporting young people and my commitment to engaging young people in community leadership and politics. I heard more on this yesterday from the Governor-General and the Speaker of the House, in particular on the importance of engaging with young people, like those in the gallery, at primary and secondary schools through civics education.

Dunkley is home to a vibrant community of young people. Recently, in June, the Committee for Frankston & Mornington Peninsula, under the leadership of Josh Sinclair, hosted the second of two forums for young people from secondary schools across Dunkley and Flinders. The top three issues identified as the most important for the students included cost of living, climate change and social media and its impact on mental health and wellbeing. The leadership insights, questions and solutions and the vexing problems were communicated by individuals and the collective, and it was impressive to watch and listen. Dunkley is in good hands.

With three years ahead of me to mobilise positive change in the community of Dunkley, a key focus will be working with young people and emerging leaders keen to make a difference to elevate their voices and create change.