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Mr Willcox has signed up for the 2026 Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign, which gives young Australians aged 25 and under the opportunity to have their ideas delivered directly to Federal Parliament. Photo supplied.
Young people across the Dawson electorate are being urged to have their say on the issues shaping their future, with Federal Member Andrew Willcox calling on the next generation to submit speeches for a national youth advocacy campaign.
Mr Willcox has signed up for the 2026 Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign, which gives young Australians aged 25 and under the opportunity to have their ideas delivered directly to Federal Parliament.
Participants are invited to submit a 90-second speech answering the question: "What is one big issue shaping your future, and what is one meaningful action you want Parliament to take?"
The winning speech from Dawson will be read aloud by Mr Willcox in Canberra during Youth Voice in Parliament Week, held from 12 to 15 October 2026.
Mr Willcox said the campaign was an important opportunity for regional young people to influence the national conversation.
"Last year, I had the immense privilege of standing up in the chamber to deliver an incredibly powerful speech by Wiremu Tairaki, a student from Proserpine State High School," Mr Willcox said.
"Wiremu spoke passionately about the distinct challenges facing country students … [noting] that while regional kids have the determination to defy limitations, gratitude for where we live shouldn't equate to limitation.
"That is the raw, unfiltered truth of what it is like to grow up in regional Australia, and it is exactly why we need our next generation of Dawson leaders driving the conversation in Canberra."
The campaign has previously reported strong engagement outcomes, with 92 per cent of participants saying taking part made them more likely to engage with politics in the future.
Mr Willcox said young people could use the opportunity to raise issues ranging from local employment and apprenticeships to mental health support and regional housing.
"Whether you are passionate about boosting local trade apprenticeships, improving youth mental health support, tackling regional housing costs, or creating more local job opportunities so you don't have to move away to the city, this is your golden opportunity to help shape Australia’s path forward," Mr Willcox said.
"I am honoured to amplify the voices of Dawson's future leaders, and I cannot wait to read what this year's cohort brings to the table."
Submissions for the 2026 campaign close on 7 August 2026. For more information, entry guidelines, and to submit a speech, visit https://raiseourvoiceaustralia.com.
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