STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator DOWLING (Tasmania) (13:34): This is the fifth year of the Raise Our Voice campaign in parliament, and this year the Raise Our Voice campaign asked young Australians, 'What steps should the government take today to build a better tomorrow for young Australians?' Today, I'm pleased to read the following speech by Jaidah, a 12-year-old from Tasmania: 'To all the people listening today, you must make more jobs for young people, because some young people want jobs, and they're not wanting to wait.

Me personally—I want a job. I want to make money to help my parents so, most of the time, they won't have to buy for me. I have two other siblings they have to buy for, and that's already a lot to buy for.

But, with an extra person to pay for, that's a lot. So, if I got a job, I could help out and buy for myself and for my siblings and even help with groceries. Also, having a job when you're young can help when you're older, because some kids like me like to save, and savings can help a lot when you're older.

You can buy a car, a house and more. It would be great to have a job because it would help kids have confidence and responsibility. As much as kids won't like having to work, they will have to work someday.' There you have it.

Jaidah is showing the very admirable qualities of hard work, commitment and generosity at a young age. But I would remind Jaidah that you're only a kid once. Have some fun and play with your friends and siblings as well as working hard.

It's worth remembering that one of the great achievements of the labour movement was fighting to ensure that children are not forced to work when they're very young. It was the labour movement that stood up and said that every child deserves the right to learn, to play and to just be a kid. Thank you, Jaidah, for your speech and for engaging in the political process and sharing your views.

It was my pleasure to read your speech in the Senate on your behalf.