David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm going to read a speech from Elsie, a Canberran:

I am Elsie, age 11 years old, and I live in the electorate of Canberra in the A.C.T.

How would I make Australia a better place for future generations? I would start with the natural environment around them. I would like the Government to focus more on the conservation and protection of the environment and endangered species, such as the critically endangered Banksia cuneata or Matchstick Banksia, and the endangered, and incredibly cute, Mountain Pygmy-possum, Burramys parvus.

I believe that to have a happy, healthy lifestyle, you need to be surrounded by happy, healthy living things. Scientific studies show that being around thriving nature can not only make you better emotionally, but also boost your physical health, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. They also show that being around animals can reduce the production of cortisol and lower blood pressure. Other studies show that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support and boost your mood.

Sadly, some natural environments, like forests and parks, are being removed for agricultural purposes or housing. This means that future generations won't have access to nature and the natural environment.

But we can change that. If we focus on the protection of places like parks and nature reserves, we will be able to work towards a better future for generations to come. This is how I believe we can make a better Australia for future generations.