Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] I'm very excited to be celebrating Youth Voice in Parliament, the campaign run by the team at Raise Our Voice. Today I'm giving voice to three young South Australians: Baran Jafari, Tabitha Parker and Sam White. Here is what they want for the future of our nation. Baran said: 'When I came to Australia from Afghanistan, I was given so many more opportunities. I could study and make my own choices, including the choice to remove my hijab. I know that many young women who are living in Australia still do not have these freedoms, and I hope that in 20 years time the restrictions placed on women no longer exist in Australia.'

Tabitha said; 'In 20 years time I hope that Australia will have a smaller gender pay gap. Currently men are getting paid 14.2 per cent more than women. In sport there is an evident difference in pay between men and women. In the future I hope that this is decreased.'

Sam said, 'I want an Australia that's strong and prosperous for young people, for the unemployed, for the wealthy, for First Nations people, for the refugees and for our retirees. I want Australia to put our interests first and to be a better player on the world stage.'

To all those young people who contributed: thank you. We are raising your voice and we are listening.