Youth Meets Parliament Week Welcome Speech

I’d like to start today by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.

I’d also like to thank my colleagues from across the Parliament who have made the time to attend today.

And of course, I’d like to acknowledge the incredible young people who are joining us here tonight — the outgoing, continuing, and new members of our Youth Advisory Groups and the Youth Steering Committee.

You’ve come from all over. From as far south as Launceston, all the way up to Trinity Beach, and everywhere in between.

From our youngest members at 16 years old, joining to raise their voices on issues such as critical First Nations, mental health, sport participation and foreign interference, through to our veteran 23-year-olds contributing on those issues as well as climate change.

It’s a pleasure to be here with you all.

Welcome to Youth Meets Parliament Week. 

It’s a week I’ve really been looking forward to.

Because this is such a wonderful opportunity for Members and Senators to meet and engage with our 2025 and 2026 Youth Advisory Group and Youth Steering Committee members, and for these young Australians to get to know us, too.

They’re bringing their lived experiences, their passion to Canberra – to make a difference on issues that matter to them.

Young people have so much to contribute when it comes to shaping the future. It is their future.

But we know that many have felt disengaged from politics or like there wasn’t a platform for their voices to be heard.

That’s why the Albanese Labor Government committed to bringing back the Office for Youth when we came to Government.

And it’s why the Albanese Labor Government introduced the Youth Steering Committee in 2022, and the Youth Advisory Groups the following year.

Because we want to open the door to government for young people.

We want key decision makers to hear you – loud and clear.

Because we know you aren’t just our future. You are our right now.

That’s what this week is all about.

This year’s new Youth Advisory Groups will meet with each other for the first time to get down to work.  

They will also meet with the people inside government who are working on the issues they are most passionate about. 

And they’ll have a chance to speak with ministers responsible for these issues.

To these new members selected to join Youth Advisory Groups – welcome.

This is an amazing opportunity. You’ve earnt it, you deserve it, and we are so fortunate to have you with us.

You’re in for an exciting year ahead and a unique opportunity to see the workings of government firsthand. 

You’ll get to help shape policies that affect millions of young people.

And we can’t wait to hear your ideas.

But we’re also here to celebrate the strong contributions that last year’s Youth Advisory Group members have made. 

They’ll get a chance to again see the ministers they’ve been working with as well as the public servants, and to talk about what they’ve achieved during their term.

Personally, I’m really looking forward to meeting them and hearing about everything they’ve done to give Government the benefit of hearing directly from young people about what matters to them.

To those in the outgoing Youth Advisory Groups, as you move on to new challenges and adventures, I know you’ll take these invaluable experiences with you.

I hope it’s given you greater confidence, and some lifelong friends.

I hope you’ll follow the progress of the work you’ve helped start here.

Thank you for the important contributions you’ve made.

You should be very proud.

We’ve got a big week ahead. 

I hope you’re all looking forward to it as much as I am.

We have Members and Senators here from all over the country who are really keen to meet you.  

Please take the opportunity tonight to have a chat and make connections that you can take home with you.

If I can finish with a bit of advice as you get to work: be bold, be curious, and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Your experience and your ideas matter. And we are all better for hearing from you.

Don’t miss this chance to let us know who you are, what you believe and the change you want to see.