Mr REPACHOLI (Hunter) (19:49):

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. Zara is concerned about the cost of university. She says:

Broke, confused, sacrificing everything to make 13 years of schooling seem worth it.

Making students pay up to $120,000 to attend university is severely affecting the lives of many in the short term, long term and even before students attend university.

I am a 14 year old, and I shouldn't be concerned about the cost of university. But I am.

University is the place where majority of us were expected to be after high school.

Is Parliament trying to reduce the amount of University-based careers in our society?

Not only does the cost of university play a part in the decrease of nurses or teachers, but the cost is outrageous, unreasonable and a revolting amount for people to pay.

Most primary schools and high schools are free, and university used to be free, but is now removing every last cent from young adults wallet.

People are now struggling, unable to afford anything in a cost of living crisis.

Many aged 35plus are STILL paying their tuition off, vulnerable university students are struggling to function with little money and upcoming generations are picturing their adult lives as miserable, all because of the cost of university.

We need to subsidise the insane cost of university fees … before it is too late.

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.