THE 2024 edition of the national My First Speech competition for year 10, 11 and 12 students opened today and is now accepting submissions.

The competition asks students to write and record a 90-second speech on a topic they are passionate about as if they are making their first speech in the House of Representatives. A winner from each year group is selected and flown to Canberra with a parent or guardian where they deliver their speech at Parliament House. Winners will also meet MPs, tour Parliament House, and learn more about the democratic process.

A panel of judges, which includes Members and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, will choose the winner from each year group.

“I am so pleased to see this great competition return for another year. Last year we had a record number of entries, and the competition was strong.” Speaker Milton Dick said.

“Not only is this competition a fundamental part of engaging our young Australians in democracy, but it also gives us a glimpse into the issues that are important to them.”

Entries close at 5pm (AEST) on 27 July 2024. More details can be found on the My First Speech website at: aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is seeking direct feedback from students and schools about civics and citizenship education.

The committee has released a survey on civics and citizenship education in Australian schools as part of its current inquiry. If you are a primary or secondary school student, a recent school leaver or an educator, the committee wants to hear from you. Here is the survey link:

Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters - Civics education survey (surveymonkey.com)

Committee Chair, Kate Thwaites MP, said "The committee is keen to get the perspectives of school students and educators on the way civics is taught in Australian schools. This survey will help the committee understand how students and educators feel about civics and citizenship education, how civics and citizenship are taught in Australian schools, and how students and educators engage with social and political issues.

"It is concerning that many young Australians don’t have the grounding in civics to set them up to be confident participants in our democracy.

"Data from the National Assessment Program–Civics and Citizenship shows that in 2019 just 38 percent of Year 10 students and 53 percent of Year 6 students achieved the ‘proficient’ standard.

"The committee is investigating how civics forms part of the Australian curriculum, examining the importance of media literacy, and listening to the voices of young people about how best to improve civics education," Ms Thwaites said.

"The committee will engage with young people, along with people in remote communities, new migrants and culturally and linguistically diverse Australians, to ensure that everyone in Australia is able to participate fully in our democratic system."

Further information about the inquiry is available on the inquiry website.

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THE House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources will hold a day of public hearings in Brisbane on Thursday, June 13, as part of its inquiry into food and beverage manufacturing in Australia.

The committee will hear from a range of stakeholders, including:

• peak industry bodies for food and beverage manufacturing;
• the academic, scientific, research and development sector;
• domestic food and beverage brands; and
• Queensland’s independent statutory body regulating food safety.

Committee Chair, Rob Mitchell MP said, “After visiting several sites the previous day, this hearing will be an opportunity for the committee to learn more about the wide range of research and development currently being undertaken for the food and beverage manufacturing sector.”

On Wednesday, the committee will visit Barambah Organics, the Health and Food Sciences Precinct jointly run by the Queensland Government, CSIRO, and the University of Queensland, and the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy at Queensland University of Technology.

The committee will conduct further interstate public hearings in July and August 2024. Further information about the inquiry, including the Terms of Reference, is available on the Committee’s website: aph.gov.au/isr

Public hearing details

Date: Thursday, 13 June 2024
Time: 9am to 2pm (AEST)
Location: CR3, Queensland Parliament, 2A George Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000.
Witnesses: Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy/Queensland University of Technology, Food and Agribusiness Network/Turbine, Food and Beverage Accelerator/University of Queensland, Safe Food Production Queensland, Australian Organic Limited, End Food Waste Australia.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has today launched an inquiry into access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system.

Committee Chair, Susan Templeman MP, said, "The committee is seeking written submissions with ideas for how the Australian Government can provide better access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system, how those orders can be better enforced, and what supports are needed.”

“There have been many inquiries into family violence and the committee does not intend to revisit findings of other reviews. This inquiry has a narrow focus on what we can do at a federal level to make applying for orders easier for victims already negotiating the family law system and how we can make those orders more effective in keeping families safe,” Ms Templeman said.

"Parliamentary committees cannot investigate or assist with individual cases, particularly those that are, or may be, before the courts. The committee will consider publishing personal contributions if they inform the terms of reference, focus on systemic issues or ideas for improving the system, and do not identify anybody or their personal circumstances.

"The committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual cases or court orders. However, it may receive personal submissions as confidential evidence if they inform how the system and supports for victim-survivors can be improved."

Written submissions have been requested by Friday, July 19, 2024, and can be submitted via the inquiry website or emailed directly to the secretariat.

Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/familyviolenceorders.

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