Alicia Payne MP
Member for Canberra
MEDIA RELEASE
"My First Speech" competition launched for high school students in Canberra electorate
19 August 2025
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP and Alicia Payne MP are launching the “My First Speech” Competition for local Canberra Electorate schools.
This national competition challenges students in years 10, 11 and 12 to envision themselves as newly elected Members of the House of Representatives and write a 90-second speech, focusing on a topic of their choosing.
The winning entrant from each year group will invited to deliver their speeches live at Parliament House and participate in an engaging program tailored to deepen their understanding of the legislative process.
The submission deadline for the competition is set for 11.59pm AEST on Monday 15th September 2025.
To learn more about the competition and submit their entries, students can visit the dedicated competition website: mfs.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au.
For further information and inquiries regarding the "My First Speech" competition, please contact my office at [email protected]
Quotes attributable to Alicia Payne MP
“This is an exciting opportunity for our local Canberra students to shine a national spotlight on the issues that matter most to them.”
“The students participating in this competition will be our leaders of tomorrow, and I am excited to give them a head start on their futures with this program”.
Quotes attributable to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP:
“One of my key priorities as Speaker has been to promote parliamentary education to students across the country, and this is yet another exciting way that young people can take an active role in our democratic system.”
“This competition will provide high school students with the chance learn more about the way our nation’s democracy works, and how actively engaging with the parliamentary process can draw attention to the issues that are most important to them.”
