Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to contribute to Youth Voice in Parliament Week. These are incredible young people. They are our future. I have 12-year-old Leila Todd, who wants to send this message to everybody, so I will be backing Leila all the way. Leila says:

I am Leila Todd and I am 12 years old.

Imagine Australia in 20 years time …

There is a Treaty agreed by both the Aboriginal Elders and their communities, and the government. Aboriginal people feel respected and connected to their culture and land.

Non-Aboriginal people are learning from Aboriginal knowledge. The Aboriginal flag is owned by Aboriginal people, and they are free to use it as they wish.

Australia is close to recycling 100% of its waste and using 100% green energy.

Whenever a new house is built, it is easier and cheaper to build with solar panels, and other renewable energy sources.

All money that was invested in coal mining, is now put towards renewable ways to produce energy.

Nothing is wasted and there is a sustainable cycle for the things we use.

In schools, students of all year levels are assessed not only on their test results, but all their other skills too. They feel they can show who they are.

There is more student choice and they are learning things that will help throughout life.

Australians feel happy, healthy, safe and respected.

This is my vision.

I say to Leila: please come and join me in this place, because you have more sense, vision and courage than half of the people in here. Thank you for sharing your vision.