CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr MATT SMITH (Leichhardt) (09:49): I invite students into my office as part of a work experience program fairly regularly. Part of their role while in the office is to write me a speech. This speech is by Ryder Buscall, a year 10 student from St Andrew's: Dear Parliament, I consider myself fortunate to live in a place where our access to the great outdoors and nature is accessible and free to all.

Australians need to rise above the constant negativity and the habit of living through our screens and instead take time to enjoy the freedom that being in nature provides. I live in Far North Queensland, which is the only place in the world where two natural wonders meet, where the rainforest meets the sea. I believe all Australians have easy and free access to their own clean and safe open spaces, whether it's a quiet park, a stretch of coastline, or a walking track just beyond the suburbs.

These places belong to all of us, and they offer opportunities to slow down, reconnect and, rediscover what truly matters. I challenge people to get out there and explore their own backyards to see what they might find and learn, because reconnecting with the land strengthens our communities, our wellbeing, and our sense of identity. So, heads-up Australians, to our lucky country.

Ryder is a really good kid. He showed a keen interest in politics and the mechanisms of this place. I didn't actually get to meet him.

I was down here at the time. We spent a lot of time on Zoom calls, but he's hoping to join us again during the school holidays. One of the things I've taken away from these speeches that I've read out—and I think I've done about a half a dozen now—is the hope and the positivity that is coming through our youth.

They believe they can make a difference. They believe that their voices can be heard. It's important that we all take that opportunity as custodians of democracy and of Australia, to make sure that that next generation feels like that opportunity belongs to them, particularly the young men.

There's been a lot of talk about the manosphere of late and what that looks like. The last speech that I read here was from a young man imploring other men to step up to stop domestic and family violence. Today we've heard from Ryder about the positivity and the love that he has for his community and his country.

There is a lot of negativity out there. There are a lot of people who will take you down if you give them half a chance, but, when I speak to the youth and we really dig deep into it, they see a future that they can be a part of. They see a future that is filled with their ideas and their ambitions, and I'm so proud to get the opportunity to represent them every day.

To the other students of Leichhardt: our door remains open. I hope to get as many of you through as possible to show you what our great democracy looks like, to show you what making a difference looks like and to make sure that your voice can be heard inside this chamber.