Ms TINK (North Sydney) (18:46): The Raise our Voice campaign is always a highlight, as young people across our community put pen to paper to give voice to ambitions for our nation. Each time I have taken part in the initiative I have been struck not only by how eloquent our youth are but by how much we can all learn when we choose to listen to them, not to respond but to truly understand. They are, after all, our future. I was so impressed by the submissions we received this year from young North Sydneysiders that I actually have five young voices I want to share with you today. These voices succinctly summarised the key themes offered by many as they answered the question of what they wanted our community to look like in the next 10 years, and the role of parliament in realising those wishes. For many it was bolder action on climate and a greater commitment to environmental protection that topped the list. At just 11 years old, Michiko said: My vision for the next 10 years is of a city that sets an example for the world. I would like to see all properties in North Sydney powered by renewable energy and have a clear plan to achieve this, with no approvals of new property developments without renewable energy. I would also like to see only vehicles powered by green energy. Parking fees, tolls and maintenance fees for vehicles that run on fossil fuels should be multiple times higher than that for renewable energy cars. Malek agreed and said: I want to see greater awareness of climate change and pollution. I am proud of my area but our natural environment is deteriorating. Many high rises are being built, and this causes lots of dust and traffic, which leads to poor air quality, destroying the beautiful nature of our area for which it is renowned. I don't want to live in a dying environment. I want us to be a country and humans to thrive. I believe parliament can achieve this by putting more consideration into plans for urbanisation and the future. The environment must be maintained and protected because it is priceless. Right now, it seems youth care more about the environment than anyone else. This needs to change. Ivy is worried major infrastructure projects like the Warringah Freeway upgrade, which have destroyed public green spaces to the detriment of our community. She said: Public spaces are the centre of life in a community and people are the heart of public spaces. They are meaningful places with layers of shared experiences, collective memories and a mixture of identities. When people feel attached to public spaces, they have a more powerful sense of belonging. The next parliament can help by providing funding and protection for more community spaces. Threats to social cohesion and racism also featured in the submissions, with Naomi saying she would like leaders to stop demonising others and, instead, recognise others can be a source of strength in society. She said: Diversity increases creativity and innovation and promotes higher quality decisions. Naomi would also like the school system to play a greater role in combating systemic racism. She said: … one-third of students have reported direct experiences of racism at school at least once a month. If it's true that we create our biases from an early age, why are we not already kickstarting programs at school that educate youth on racial biases and how to change them? I'll finish with Neela, who having recently heard a refugee speak about his journey to Australia and his time in a detention centre said: … not everyone has an easy journey when living in a country that's not their own. I'm … saddened by his experience and wanted to think about ways our community could assist and make changes … so stories like his are not repeated. Politicians should send a strong message about respect and equality towards people who are culturally different. Local communities should also offer gatherings and educational programs … to ensure smoother integration for those that come … Connecting new families with existing … families could … help them … feel like they belong. My wish would be for our community … to have a different mindset and be inclusive. Learning about each other and embracing our differences will make us stronger. And we should— always— treat people with the … dignity and humanity— they— deserve. With words and ideas like that coming from the mouths of the young people across my community of North Sydney, I feel very confident that we're in very safe hands. I look forward to a time when I see one of those names appear on one of these desks in this place as a representative for a part of my community.