STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms CAMPBELL (Moreton) (16:13): Today I want to share the words of 17-year-old Sam, as part of Raise Our Voice in Parliament. Sam is a local from my part of the world, on Brisbane's southside in Moreton, and in a few short weeks, like so many other young people, he will be graduating from year 12. These are his words: My mates and I talk about what we will get up to once we leave high school, the places we'll visit, the suburbs we'll live in, the gigs we'll see.

But hanging over everything is one huge asterisk; how we will afford it. Cost of living has always been stressful for young people. My parents lived on microwave meals in share houses when they were young.

The problem is that it's getting worse. Since 2005, when my parents bought their first house, Brisbane property prices have increased at twice the rate of wages. Renting is no easier—I'll have to fork over 66 per cent of my weekly wage if I want to live in share house.

The point of this speech is not to list statistics that you already know, nor to blame anyone. The point is to send the message that we believe in the Australian Dream just as much as you did. Because this country is at its best when the government cooperates with us, rewards our hard work, and gives us a fair go.