As in previous years, it's my pleasure to read a speech submitted by the Raise Our Voice organisation, by Taryn, who is 17 years old and lives in the electorate of Werriwa. These are Taryn's words:

Climate change is an ongoing issue whilst the government aims to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050. But why are we reducing the emissions? Turning off coal-fired power stations is perceived as a simple solution, but where is the infrastructure to cater for the current and future demands of electricity? We're not solving the problem, just providing an incentive to both fossil fuel generators to support shortages and blackouts. To help both these issues, we should implement in new housing estates and existing suburbs a community battery system. Solar panels from surrounding houses can feed into the designated battery system. There needs to be multiples of these small systems across the state suburbs. Solar has its limitations, to mitigate the issue of limited sunlight in winter or overcast days, renewable electricity such as hydrogen, wind and hydroelectricity can be used to charge the battery system to meet the demand. These battery systems can be regularly monitored and maintained by the electricity companies.

Thanks, Taryn, and everyone who submitted speeches for consideration.