Raise Our Voice speeches amplify issues of regional youth

Young Australians submitted speeches about issues close to their heart and community for the 2023 Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign.

Politicians Monique Ryan, Bridget Archer and Sarah Hanson-Young will join other federal parliamentarians in reflecting on young perspectives on First Nations issues, climate change and health.

South Australian-born Sian Davies, 25, said her generation had invaluable insight to share in a quickly changing world.

"We know that the systems that were set up in our parents and grandparents time won't continue to exist like they did but we can make them just as good because we've got access to technology," she said.

"Informed decision-making is always best and having a plethora of views is how we get good policy."

Grace McMahon from David Littleproud's Maranoa electorate in regional Queensland addressed a struggle experienced in many Australian homes.

"How many people in Australia are struggling with the cost of living?" the 12-year-old said at the start of her speech.

"The answer: a lot!"

"We all know that cost of living is getting expensive, but did you know that this year 43 per cent of Australians experienced some form of financial hardship and one in five of those reported not having enough money for food and basic necessities or being unable to pay a bill.

"How many of you, senators, have ever had to choose between paying a bill and feeding your family? Do you know what it's like to have no money left over to save for a rainy day?

"Interest rates have risen by four percentage points since May last year because of inflation."

Grace said that as "a result, a potential 1.6 million people are at risk of losing their home, my family included.

"My solution is a simple one - make the banks keep interest rates at a fixed rate (say a national four per cent?) permanently."

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"This will mean that when people borrow money to buy a house or a car they know exactly what they will need to repay - no unexpected changes.

"Australians will be able to manage their money better, resulting in lower stress rates/depression due to financial insecurity."

Grace said she might not understand inflation "but I know that costs will keep rising, and this might just be one way to help our people. We need to think about Australia's future if we want to make Australia a better place".

David Littleproud said he chose Grace McMahon's words for his Raise Our Voice speech "because it's relatable and relevant as well as being passionate, well written, researched and thought-provoking".

"Grace has also shared a deeply personal experience about the hardships of rising interest rates and the impact it's having on her family. It is evident in Grace's speech that she truly wants to make Australia a better place.

"It is imperative to encourage young people to enter political debate and important discussions. I look forward to reading Grace's speech in Parliament."