Multicultural Youth Awards, Melbourne

Before I begin, I would like to thank you for that wonderful welcome to country, and Leela Gray for her inspiring opening remarks.

And I would also like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are gathered tonight.   

I pay my respect to Wurundjeri Elders past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are with us this evening. 

I’m really pleased to be here tonight. And I’d like to congratulate everyone who has helped bring these awards to life.

Thank you to the many sponsors. Your contributions help make this event happen.

And I’d also like to acknowledge my state colleagues in the Victorian Government joining me tonight, who represent some of the strong and diverse communities here in the mighty state of Victoria. 

As well as our MCs and the many representatives of the youth sector who are joining us.

But most importantly, of course, I want to acknowledge the reason we are here – the incredible finalists.

I am honoured to be speaking to a room full of such inspiring young people from so many different backgrounds.

Tonight is about ‘diverse talents, shared achievements – honouring the brilliance of multicultural youth’. And these finalists are brilliant.

Multicultural young people make important contributions, not only to our communities, but to our country.

Using their diverse talents to achieve positive impacts for all. 

And I am excited to return to the stage later this evening to present the Australian Youth Minister Award.

In my role as Minister for Youth, I’m lucky to see firsthand how passionate young people are about making change every single day.

A few weeks ago, I was in Launceston hearing stories of the young people from the Tamar Valley. 

Young people like Delightsome – a proud Nigerian-Australian student who shared his experience of overcoming stereotypes and racism while embracing his identity, culture and sense of belonging.

Through the Office for Youth, I’ve also met young people like Hiba – a member of the Mental Health Youth Advisory Group who’s studying a Bachelor of Psychology. 

She’s using her experience to emphasise young people’s perspectives on mental health and directly contribute to policy.

Or through this event, I meet young people like Zayd, last year’s recipient of the Minister’s Award. He’s taken his lived experience in the adult justice system to help other young people, just like him, to break the cycle and thrive.

I see young Australians bringing the strength of their diverse backgrounds to a shared future.

And I see a lot of hard work. The work of supporting and advocating for others, so that whole communities can do better together.

That’s why giving young people a voice is something I’m passionate about.  

Because the decisions governments make today will shape the Australia of your future.  

Young people should be involved in decisions that affect their lives today – as well as those that will shape their tomorrow.

That's why our Government is creating more opportunities for young people to have a direct say in these decisions that affect them.

Like Delightsome, Hiba and Zayd, and all of you in this room today.

I want to assure you that our Government is listening. 

That’s why we re-established the Office for Youth not long after we were first elected in 2022.

From there, we established our Youth Steering Committee and have had several Youth Advisory Groups that provide insight from young people on a variety of issues.

These Advisory Groups reflect the diversity of our nation. 

Young people, from diverse backgrounds, contributing their perspectives and lived experience to government decision-making. 

And in the very near future, we will launch the next National Youth Survey for young people aged 12 – 25, to inform the Government's new youth engagement strategy.

We want input from young Australians across all cultures, places and experiences.

We want to hear from you.

So, make sure to keep up to date with the Office for Youth website and fill out that survey. 

Because your voices matter. 

As the Prime Minister says, multiculturalism is who we are. 

Every generation has helped build multicultural Australia. 

And through the work you do, your generation is now shaping our country’s story too.

I am so impressed by what you’ve achieved already.

Building connections across communities, sharing pride in culture and heritage, and creating opportunities for others. 

Your contributions are making our country stronger.

They are valued.

And I can’t wait to see the future that this generation is helping to build - together.

Thank you.