What Would You Say?

Imagine you've just been elected to Parliament, and now it's time to make your first speech in the House of Representatives. The Speaker calls on you… what do you say?

If you're a student enrolled in year 10, 11 or 12, it's time to find out – entries are officially open for the 2018 My First Speech competition.

Speaker of the House of Representatives the Hon Tony Smith MP said the competition is a great opportunity for young public speakers to make their voices heard, with winners flown to Canberra to deliver their speeches in Parliament House.

"It's always a pleasure to welcome the winners of the My First Speech competition to Parliament House," Mr Smith said.

In a first, the Speaker will join the Member for Dunkley Chris Crewther MP, the Member for Adelaide the Hon Kate Ellis MP and the Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt MP on the competition's judge's panel for the 2018 competition.

Entries to the competition close at 5pm on Friday 19 October 2018. To enter, learn more about the competition or view previous winning speeches, visit aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech.