Parliamentary Updates

9 September 2026

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Twice a year I bring together senior students from schools across Warringah for youth Voices. At our most recent forum, around 50 students joined us at Redlands to talk about democracy representation and the issues shaping their future. One student asked how much of an influence does my vote make? Another told me I had no idea I could just email my MP and I should say I welcome that we have the Education Minister here in the chamber to hear from these students as well. Students wanted to understand what an MP does, how laws are made, who gets to access it, who gets access to decision makers and how powerful interests influence politics. All wanted civics education, but asked if it can go beyond memorising the three levels of government. They feel that they want more real impact when it comes to that civics education. They want to understand representation, accountability, influence how they can participate and make a difference to the politics that shape their lives.

Young people shared what was in their minds housing, cost of living, climate change, mental health inequality, misinformation and social media. There was a real concern about AI and jobs. One student worried about studying, taking on debt and then finding there was no way to earn more money because of AI driven change. Young people want a good education, mental health support, safe and affordable transport equality and respect a healthy environment. The opportunity to contribute and a genuine say in the decisions affecting them. One student wrote that hope for them came from having a room full of like-minded people working towards a common goal. Another said my voice and vote matter. So my commitment is to keep this engagement going with their feedback. We are drafting a Warringah Youth charter and will continue to develop it through consultation. The principle is simple listen, prioritise, act and report back. So around Australia I say to young people you may not be interested in politics but politics is in your life. It is shaping your life, your choices and your opportunities.

So please contact your MPs, ask questions, raise the issues that matter to you. Find out how your representatives have voted and why. Ask the questions. Demand accountability because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu and the decisions made in this place by all the people here representing you will shape your opportunities and your lives. For government and MPs in this place. The question is whether we are truly listening, explaining our decisions and giving young people genuine opportunities to shape the policies that will determine their future. Young people are ready to engage. Our responsibility is to make sure our democracy is ready to hear them. And so I again would reinforce that call for greater civics education and opportunity to understand how they can influence representation and policies.