Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I'm going to read out a speech by 11-year-old Ida Adams from my home state of South Australia. In fact, she goes to primary school just around the corner from where I live in the Adelaide Hills. It's been written as part of the Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign, which amplifies the voices of young people and their visions for the future. Ida says:

I'm passionate about making this place a better world for humans and animals alike.

There are many significant problems in the world, including world hunger, homelessness, violence and lack of biodiversity. But by far the most important is climate change.

Australia is an amazing country and we are all so fortunate to live in it.

But, it may not stay one. Our leaders need to understand what climate change is and take action.

It is no longer just plastic pollution but overuse of electricity, fossil fuel mining, vehicles, food production and so, so much more.

These things tragically result in multiple consequences such as weed and pest invasion, salt invasions, extreme temperatures etc., resulting in an unliveable climate for humans, plants and animals alike.

Australia can't stay this way and if we keep polluting it will just get worse. This problem is major and you can't ignore it.

We need to figure out further solutions and replacements for oil, gas, water and other resources.

But importantly, we need more government funding for this research to happen.

We created the problem so we can fix it together for a strong and healthy Australia. But the leaders of today need to have insight—see what is wrong and step up for what is right.

The solutions to problems of tomorrow are in the hands of the politicians today.

That's the statement from Ida Adams in South Australia.