Local senior secondary students with a vision for Australia’s future are urged to make their voices heard as part of the annual My First Speech Competition, Opposition Leader and Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten said today.

Mr Shorten said the nationwide competition was open to secondary students in years 10 to 12, with entrants asked to imagine themselves as a newly elected Member of Parliament and present a three minute speech on an issue they are passionate about.

“The My First Speech Competition is an opportunity for young local residents to speak about the issues that matter to them. The judges will then select three winners to present their speech live at Parliament House,” Mr Shorten said.

“Students are asked to write as if it was their first speech to the House of Representatives, reflecting their views and vision for Australia.”

“In my own first speech, I spoke about a fairer industrial relations system, adequate support for people with a disability and the need for every Australian to get access to quality healthcare.”

“Local students from Moonee Valley now also have the opportunity to express their vision for our community and our nation.”

House of Representatives Education Committee Chair Ewen Jones and Deputy Chair Alannah MacTiernan will be judging the entries, along with Seven News political editor Mark Riley.