Today I have the privilege of sharing the words of 17-year-old Zoe from my electorate of Capricornia whose contribution was selected as a winning entry in the Raise Our Voice competition. This initiative gives young Australians the opportunity to have their voices heard in federal parliament and speak about issues that matter to their generation. It reminds us that young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow; their ideas and perspectives will shape the future. Raise Our Voice encourages young Australians to engage with democracy and recognise that they can help shape our nation's future. Zoe has chosen to address an issue of national importance, domestic and family violence. I'd now like to share her speech with the House:

On Wednesday, 8th July 2026, police braced themselves for a 40% increase in domestic violence in a single night. The classic feud between the Blues and Maroons, the State of Origin. Whilst millions of fans watched, hoping for a win, women and children watched hoping for something entirely different. They hoped to feel safe in their own homes.

My name is Zoe, and I am 17 years old. Every day, I am grateful to live in a home where I am loved and supported by my family. Nevertheless, not all girls like me are so fortunate. Sports-related domestic violence is a serious issue in Australia, creating devastating outcomes for thousands nationwide.

The issue shaping my future isn't sport, it's how gender-based violence continues to shape our futures. Australia cannot achieve true equality while violence remains widespread. Sport has enormous cultural influence, Parliament should use that influence to deliver respectful relationships education, healthy masculinity programs, specialist partnerships and consistent nationwide data collection. By embedding prevention into Australia's greatest cultural institution, we can work together to prevent violence before it begins.

The future of Australia will be measured not by how well we respond to violence, but by how effectively we prevent it.

Zoe's words demonstrate why listening to young Australians is important. At just 17, she has shown the courage to tackle a difficult issue and put forward thoughtful ideas about building a safer Australia.

Initiatives like Raise Our Voice encourage young people to think critically, participate in public debate and recognise their ability to influence change. Zoe joins young winners from electorates across Australia, each bringing their own perspectives and ideas to the federal parliament through the Raise Our Voice competition. I congratulate Zoe on her winning entry and thank the organisers of Raise Our Voice for giving young Australians this platform. I hope her achievement inspires young people across Capricornia to become involved in politics and make their voices heard. After all, the future of our nation belongs to them, and their voices deserve a place in shaping it.

I too rise here today to read a speech from 18-year-old Nevan, who also participated in the Raise Our Voice in parliament campaign. I will read this speech from Nevan. I hope, Nevan, that I do this justice:

The biggest issue shaping my future is not simply the rising cost of living, or the increasing difficulty of accessing education and housing.

It is that young Australians are expected to live with these challenges while too often being excluded from the decisions that shape them.

Long before I understood leadership, I was surrounded by people practising it every day. I learnt it from a grandmother whose kindness held generations of our family together.

From a mother whose strength knows no bounds. From a father who sacrificed his dreams so I could wake up each morning with opportunities he didn't get.

They taught me that leadership isn't defined by age or title. It is choosing to leave something better than you found it.

Young Australians live that lesson every day, yet our voices are too often an afterthought.

I ask this Parliament to establish a Youth Right to Be Heard, guaranteeing young Australians a meaningful opportunity to give our opinions before decisions are made about our future.

We aren't clueless. We have hope.

Believe in us. Trust us.

Give us the chance to be more, to do more.

To leave Australia better than we found it.

Don't make us wait.

We are not the future.

We are the now.

Well, Nevan, I can't agree with you more. Indeed, leadership is not defined by age or years on this earth. It is defined by the wisdom that I often find when I go out and speak to young people, and that wisdom is here in the words that Nevan wrote and the words that I speak on behalf of Nevan.

Thank you, Nevan, for these words. Thank you for reminding us that young people have a voice and a voice that deserves to be heard right here in this place. Thank you for reminding us that, too often, we tell young people that they are the leaders of the future, but we need to recognise that they are the leaders of the now. Thank you also to the Raise Our Voice program for their consistent advocacy for young people to be heard and to have a say in the halls of parliament, where their voice, I will say, does matter.

In accordance with standing order 193, the time for members' constituency statements has concluded.