CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr WATTS (Gellibrand) (10:22): If you want to feel proud of our country, if you want to feel optimistic about our future and if you need your faith in our democracy renewed, check out the work of the 150 young Australians who've been in our nation's capital this week for the Y's National Youth Parliament. Each young person is in Canberra representing one of Australia's federal electorates as its youth member.
They've been in parliament and down at Old Parliament House, gaining a deeper insight into how our parliament works and how bills are drafted, debated and passed into law. They've been learning about parliamentary debates, engaging with members of parliament and ministers, and grappling with real-world policy challenges. I want to thank the Speaker, the Deputy Clerk, Department of Parliamentary Services staff, former speaker Tony Smith and the Y Australia for their work in bringing the National Youth Parliament to life.
I was proud to be present for speeches from two outstanding young youth members from Melbourne's west, the Youth Member for Gellibrand and the Youth Member for Fraser. Both addressed some of the biggest issues that we are debating in Australia at the moment. The Youth Member for Gellibrand, Aariyan, spoke about Australia's migration system.
He spoke about skilled migrants, just like his parents, coming to Australia to contribute to Australia's economy and our way of life. He called for a clearer and more consistent pathway to improve recognition of the valuable skills and qualifications that these skilled workers bring to Australia and that we urgently need. Aariyan observed that the most recent federal budget already included an $85.2 million investment to reform skills assessments for trades and construction, but he argued that this could be expanded to other sectors, including education, engineering and health care.
Aariyan, I'm pleased to say, had the opportunity to discuss his speech and his ideas with the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, at the welcome reception for the youth members earlier this week. The Youth Member for Fraser I've had the privilege to have known for many years, and I'm very proud to have seen the way he's grown up to become a leader in our community.
Taihan was elected by his peers in the National Youth Parliament to be the minister for youth, and, in his speech, Taihan spoke about Australian identity and social cohesion. He asked: 'What makes us Australian? It's not what we look like.
It's not where we came from, nor is it the faith that we believe in, because none of these things measure our heart or define who we are. Being Australian is a promise—not a perfect one but a powerful one. It's a promise that, no matter who you are, you matter, and a promise that you can stand on this land, with all your difference, and still call it home—the fact that I choose to make this country better, in every way that I can, choosing unity over division, compassion over fear and action over apathy, because we, the diverse young people of this nation, are not just the future of Australia.
We are Australia.' I couldn't agree more, Taihan. Well done, mate. Aariyan and Taihan have shown us that the future for Australia is bright.
Our young people are smart, engaged and passionate. They care about the future of our country, and they want to play their bit, make their contribution, in making it a reality. I'm proud to know that Australia's future is in safe hands.