Ash Ambihaipahar (Barton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to read one of the selected speeches I received from students in Barton through the Raise Our Voice in Parliament initiative. This one comes from Angela, Dhanvi, Swara, Jaai and Grace from Kogarah Public School. I want to thank them for their passionate and insightful submission. They say the following:

As young Australians, we know how important mental health is for our future. We want to see change that ensures every student feels supported, valued, and able to thrive.

Too many students face body-shaming, insecurities, and judgement every single day, often made worse by the pressures of social media. It's no surprise that 1 in 7 Australians aged 4 to 17 experience mental health challenges. These struggles affect how we learn, how we connect with others, and how we see ourselves. But we believe it doesn't have to stay this way.

The government can make a difference. First, by funding more school-based programs so every student has access to help during and after school.

Second, by creating awareness campaigns that show it's okay to ask for support and that no one is alone.

Third, by upskilling young Australians by integrating real strategies for resilience, online safety, and wellbeing into the school syllabus. We want to see it, and we know it will make a difference.

This is about more than today, it's about tomorrow. Supporting students' mental health means shaping a future where young Australians are confident, resilient, and ready to lead.

With the right support today, we can ensure tomorrow's Australia is filled with resilient, healthy, and empowered young people.

It is so important to highlight in my community of Kogarah Public School—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 16:34 to 16:45

That speech is a really good reflection of the kinds of students that we have in my electorate of Barton. Kogarah Public School has amazing students like the students who provided this speech. I had an opportunity to meet them. They're so passionate about these issues, particularly those around mental health and also the introduction of the social media ban that's occurring in December. Kogarah Public School might have the future MP for Barton at play there, and I'd like to thank them for their contribution.