CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Dr FREELANDER (Macarthur) (10:17): I'd like to congratulate Gita from my electorate for being the winning entry from Macarthur for the Raise Our Voice Australia speech campaign. Gita's speech is as follows: My name is Gita. I was born in Afghanistan in 2010.
My story is a story of loss, resilience and hope. When I was a child, I lost my father and my older brother. My father was a teacher and my hero.
After losing him, my family faced some of the hardest moments of our lives. My mother carried the responsibility of raising our family while carrying her own pain and memories of loss. In 2019, we moved to Türkiye and I had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture and continue my education in a new environment.
It was difficult, but I never gave up. In 2024, my family came to Australia to build a safer future. Starting again was challenging.
I had to learn English, adjust to a new school and find my place in a new country. Many young migrants and refugees arrive in Australia with dreams, but they also carry stories that others cannot always see. Behind every student learning a new language, there may be a story of courage, sacrifice and hope.
I also think about mothers like mine. Many refugee mothers have experienced deep hardship while trying to rebuild their lives and support their children. They need understanding and respect.
One of the biggest issues shaping my future is the housing crisis. For my family, this is not just a statistic. We are currently searching for a safe and affordable home.
Because I do not always have a quiet place to study, I often stay at the city library after school until 8 pm so I can focus on my education. Australia is a country where people from many backgrounds build their futures. I ask parliament to listen to these stories and take meaningful action to make safe and affordable housing more available for families who are struggling.
A home is not just a building. It's where young people learn, grow and believe in their future. My dream is to become a lawyer and use my voice to help people who feel unheard.
My journey has taught me one important lesson: where we come from does not decide where we can go. Every young person deserves the opportunity not only to survive but to succeed. Thank you for listening to my story.
I would say thank you for sharing your brave and resilient story with us. I would say thank you, Gita, for sharing your brave and resilient story with us. It's a story of hope.
It's a positive story. It's a wonderful story, and we want you to do well. You are part of Australia, and Australia is a great country that can share its riches with you.
Thank you so much for all your efforts.