Senate debates

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Statements

Youth Voice in Parliament Week

1:48 pm

Photo of Rex PatrickRex Patrick (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I rise to give voice to another young South Australian, as part of Youth Voice in Parliament Week:

'My name is Lachlan McPherson. I am 13 years old and my electorate is Spence. My vision for Australia in 20 years is that there will be more environmentally safe transports. I have heard of a train that is being built for the environment, but I haven't seen or heard any plans to build more environmental transports. I think we should create much more cheaper-energy-source cars—so more people can buy them—and start to create buses that don't use gas.

We produce 80 per cent smog air pollution by using gas cars. If we continue using gas cars and transport, we will increase the risk of asthma, heart or lung disease and some cancers. If we want to decrease the risk of getting disease, we should start making environmental transports. If we make a change to the transport, we will be able to have a healthier earth. But if we don't make a change, our earth could get worse every month or even year. So wake up and make a change to use these transports.'

If 13-year-old Lachlan can see it, I don't understand why the Prime Minister can't see it. The Prime Minister is worried about ruining his weekend with electric vehicles; Lachlan is worried about his future being ruined by internal-combustion-engine cars.