ADJOURNMENT
Senator DEAN SMITH (Western Australia) (20:04): I rise tonight to acknowledge the year 6 students and teachers from John XXIII College in Perth who visited Parliament House earlier this year, and to reflect on why school visits to our national capital remain one of the most valuable educational experiences we can offer young Australians. On 27 May, I had the pleasure of welcoming 73 students who had travelled more than 3,000 kilometres from Western Australia to see firsthand the institutions they had been studying in the classroom.
For students from the eastern states, a visit to Parliament House is relatively straightforward, For Western Australian students, it requires a significant commitment from schools, teachers and their families. It involves a long journey across the continent and considerable planning and expense, yet schools continue to make that investment because they understand its lasting value.
No textbook or classroom lesson can compare with standing in the Great Hall, walking through the Marble Foyer, sitting in the Senate gallery or watching the House of Representatives in action, For these students, Australian democracy became something real. Following their visit, several students kindly shared their reflections with me. Ivy wrote that 'it was exciting to see most of the things we had learned about in class' and said, 'Parliament House was a very educating experience.' She particularly enjoyed comparing Old Parliament House with the modern parliament and learning how Australia's democracy has evolved.
Emmanuel said, 'Arriving at Parliament House was like watching everything that I had learnt at school come to life.' He enjoyed seeing both chambers before we discussed my journey to parliament and the work senators do representing their respective states. Tiela described visiting Parliament House as an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience and said, 'It was fascinating to see Australia's democracy in action.' Dallan wrote that he was in awe to see the heart of the Australian federal government come to life.
He was struck not only by the debates but also by the beauty and symbolism of this remarkable building. Addison said, 'It was a great experience to see our country being run,' and appreciated the opportunity to ask questions about his parliament. Gabe perhaps captured the visit best when he wrote that 'Parliament House was filled with learning and fascination'.
He also observed, with the honesty that only year 6 students can provide, that, while the House of Representatives was busy, the Senate was, well, empty. I can assure him that it isn't always the case. These reflections remind us of why school visits matter.
Students return home with a deeper understanding of our constitution, our parliament and the responsibilities of Australian citizenship. They discover that democracy is not simply something they read about or watch on television. It relies on informed citizens who are prepared to participate, ask questions and contribute to their communities.
For Western Australian students, these visits are especially important. Despite the distance and cost, they gain a stronger appreciation of their national institutions that represent every Australian and the freedoms and democracy of all of us. Among those students sitting in the gallery may well have been future teachers, journalists, public servants, community leaders, business owners, future senators and perhaps even a prime minister again from Western Australia.
I extend my heartiest congratulations to the staff, parents and students of John XXIII College for making the important journey across our vast continent. Their curiosity, their enthusiasm and their thoughtful reflections were a timely reminder that Australia's democracy will remain strong only if each new generation understands it, values it and is inspired to help shape its future.