Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (19:55):

Today I want to read speeches from three amazing young people from my electorate who've written about issues they are passionate about for the Raise Our Voice campaign.

Mikaela from West Wallsend High School says:

I want to talk about young carers and siblings of children with disabilities and my vision for a future where they get more recognition and support in the community through the development of programs to assist them.

One in 5 children are considered young carers in Australia. Carers for their parents, their grandparents, family members or siblings.

For me, it's my younger brother Lincoln.

From the age of 5 I knew how to help mum and dad with his feeding tube, what to do if he had a seizure and what I needed to pack if I had to stay at my Nan's house. Again.

I remember the birthday at Vacation Care when my parents had to take him to get another surgery. I remember missing out on parties and holidays due to his need to be close by to a hospital.

I also learned early on that I didn't have any friends my age who understood what it was like to have those kinds of worries and responsibilities.

My parents also noticed this and despite trying to find other people our age to connect with who would understand, they had no luck.

In 10 years time, wouldn't it be amazing to have support easily accessible.

To have a community where young carers can connect with other young carers.

Where people like me can get help through the difficult times.

Where information can be available and where we feel heard, safe and empowered.

Where our "normal" is recognised by the people around us and where we can have opportunities to escape and be a kid again, even if only for an afternoon.

Thanks, Jade, Mikaela and Zara and everyone else that took the time to write speeches for the Raise Our Voice campaign. I just want to let you know that everybody in this place is listening to you. We are hearing what is being said from these and we hope to see change in the future. All 151 members of this place want to make Australia a better place, so please know that we are thinking of you when you say these things.