Community Recognition Statement

Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields) (13:41): I acknowledge the Australian Youth Climate Coalition representatives, Miss Katerina Trung and Miss Francesca Smith, who are year 9 and year 10 students respectively from the Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Glenfield.

Both Francesca and Katerina met with me recently to outline the Youth Coalition's vision for combating climate change and improving sustainability, starting with our public high schools.

Both students outlined a number of measures they would like to see their own school adopt, such as: reducing food waste through implementing worm farms for students; applying the 10¢ a bottle refund at their school; introducing renewable energy, such as solar panels; and encouraging plastic recycling within classrooms and in the playground.

On a much broader scale, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition has developed a comprehensive policy package: Repower Our Schools. The policy outlines a plan to deliver 100 per cent renewable energy throughout schools in New South Wales.

Young people are the future. I am mightily impressed by both Katerina and Francesca for taking a stand and working on an issue that is important to them and to future generations.