Australia’s next great political voice could be sitting at the kitchen table right now, with a national competition challenging senior secondary students to write the speech they’d give as a newly elected Member of Parliament.
The My First Speech Competition, run by the Department of the House of Representatives, is open to students in Years 10, 11 and 12 right across the country. Entrants are asked to imagine themselves as a newly elected MP and write a three-minute, 500-word speech on a topic they’re passionate about.
Winners receive an expenses-paid trip to Parliament House in Canberra, including flights and accommodation, a prize pack valued at $250, and the chance to deliver their speech live to the Speaker and other MPs at Parliament House.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick said the competition was part of a broader push to engage young people with parliamentary process.
“One of my key priorities as Speaker has been to promote parliamentary education to students across the country, and this is yet another exciting way that young people can take an active role in our democratic system.
“This competition will provide high school students with the chance to learn more about the way our nation’s democracy works, and how actively engaging with the parliamentary process can draw attention to the issues that are most important to them.”
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said he was hoping the competition would uncover some serious local talent.
“I would really like to see a future Prime Minister come out of the electorate of Parkes, and the My First Speech Competition is a great place to start.
“I encourage Year 10, 11 and 12 students across the electorate to put pen to paper to write a speech about something that really means something to them. They might be giving this speech to Parliament later this year.”
Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold said first speeches held a special place in Australia’s parliamentary history.
“A first speech, often called a maiden speech, is one of the most important speeches a parliamentarian will ever give.
“It is where elected representatives explain who they are, what they stand for and what they hope to achieve. Decades later, people often return to those speeches to measure whether politicians remained true to their values and delivered on their promises.”
Penfold said her own first speech had shaped how she hoped local students would approach the competition.
“My own first speech was an opportunity to speak about the people, places and values that shaped me, the challenges facing our region, and my commitment to put service before self.
“I hope this competition encourages young people across Lyne to think about the future they want for Australia and to have the confidence to speak up about the issues that matter to them.”
Parents and teachers can encourage students to take part by helping them think through an issue they genuinely care about, whether that’s something happening in their own community or a bigger national question. Entrants will need to nominate the federal electorate of their home address rather than their school, so families living near an electorate boundary should check on the AEC website before submitting.
Entries close at 11:59pm AEST on Monday, 20 July. Students and teachers can find further information and submit entries at mfs.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au.
Social media excerpt: Could your teenager be Australia’s next great political voice? A national competition wants students to write the speech they’d give as a newly elected MP.
Tags: Milton Dick, Jamie Chaffey, Alison Penfold