Tassie student’s pitch to pollies

A TASMANIAN high school student has had the rare opportunity of giving a speech to federal parliament and meeting Prime Minister Scott Morrison after winning a speech writing competition.

Fifteen-year-old Clara Kim flew to Canberra this week to deliver her speech on why a “one-size-fits-all” education system doesn’t work for regional Australia.

The Taroona High School student was applauded by MPs from the Prime Minister down in Question Time after delivering the powerful speech.

“From the moment we wake up, the life of students who live in rural and urban areas differ vastly,” Ms Kim told parliament.

“Yet the current education system in Australia pushes forth a ‘one-size-fits-all’ system, where we try to make rural students more like their urban peers when we know that their circumstances are vastly different.”

She urged politicians to consider new solutions such as school and community partnerships to help rural students access more opportunities.

The teenager said meeting Mr Morrison and speaking in parliament was a “priceless” experience which now has her considering a career in politics and public speaking.

Federal Labor member for Franklin Julie Collins said: “Young people have such an important role to play in our democracy and I think it’s vital that all political representatives listen to what they have to say”.

“Clara’s excellent speech was a powerful reminder that the whole community has a role to play in breaking down educational disadvantage.”

Ms Kim won third place in parliament’s My First Speech competition this year. She spoke alongside two students from Western Australia and South Australia.