Three students from years 10 to 12 will be visiting Canberra next week to have their say to the House. The three students are the winners from each eligible year group of the My First Speech competition.
The competition asks students to imagine themselves as a newly elected Member of the House of Representatives. They are tasked with writing a 90-second speech about issues they are passionate about, just like a new Member of the House.
The judges for the 2022 competition are Member for Jagajaga, Ms Kate Thwaites, Member for Casey, Mr Aaron Violi, and Member for Mackellar, Dr Sophie Scamps.
This year's winning speeches covered issues of mental health in rural communities, sexual assault and gender equality, and better infrastructure and facilities for young people. The winners will be flown to Canberra—with a parent or guardian—to deliver their speeches live at an event in Parliament House on Wednesday 23 November 2022.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Milton Dick MP, will be welcoming the students and hosting the event where they will deliver their speeches.
"The My First Speech competition is a great opportunity for younger Australians to engage with and learn about parliamentary processes. It is a real joy to see them owning their democracy", he said.
Event details
My First Speech event
Wednesday 23 November 2022, 12.30pm to 1.00pm
Presiding Officers Exhibition Area,1st Floor public area
Parliament House, Canberra
The event will also be live streamed on the House of Representatives Facebook page www.facebook.com/aboutthehouseau.
