CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr TIM WILSON (Goldstein) (10:51): Raise Our Voice Australia is an initiative that gives young Australians the chance to speak directly into the nation's parliament. Each year, students write a speech on an issue that matters to them. This year's question asked them to name one big issue shaping their future and one meaningful action they wanted the parliament to take.
In our community, Alice, who is 11, took up that challenge. Her concern is simple: Australian kids are spending too much time on their screens, and there aren't enough local playgrounds. She said, in her own words: I believe not having enough playgrounds is a big problem shaping our future.
As parents are so exhausted and tired, they are not willing to drive kids to the parks. Children are being distracted and screen time is increasing every day, which is not good for their health. I am also worried about the lack of playgrounds because there are currently only 40 active playgrounds in local councils in Victoria.
That is not enough! Kids are resorting to going on their screens when going outside isn't an option. Not having enough playgrounds for our future is a problem.
Neighbourhoods with little kids should have playgrounds. Kids with no playgrounds plus screen time increasing can shape their future. Screen time has increased massively, by around 70 per cent in kids in the last five years, Google states, because of parents who can't be bothered taking their kids to a playground when it's not within walking distance.
Ultimately, playgrounds are a necessity to the lives of young people and to communities around Victoria. This has to stop now! Alice does not mince her words, and neither should we.
Alice's message to parliament is simple: put a playground within walking distance of every young family. She has shown real courage in raising her voice, and she has made a powerful case for letting kids be kids. Congratulations, Alice.
There are also other significant contributors in the Goldstein community. On Sunday 13 September, runners, walkers and families came together for the 14th Connor's Run—and it was, in fact, my 10th—of 18.8km. You wouldn't imagine it, but it did happen.
The Connor's Run was born of a human tragedy where Robert Connor Dawes lost his life to paediatric brain cancer, and Liz Dawes OAM and Scott Dawes turned a tragedy into an opportunity to help raise millions of dollars towards addressing paediatric brain cancer. More than 5,300 people participated this year, and approximately $1.7 million was raised. I'd like to thank the foundation's board, Miriam Dexter, Michele Williams, Ellen Webb, Tim Mitchell-Adams, Graham Lee, Allison Blahna and John Phillips, for their support, as well as the operations team, Sophia Ali, Dr Kim Wark and Anna Skelton, along with every runner, volunteer and donor.
Keep up the great work. Thank you for everything you do. You make our community and our country a better place.