Speeches
Tuesday, 14 July 2026
31st YMCA Youth Parliament
Rod and I warmly welcome members of the 31st YMCA Youth Parliament to Government House and congratulate you on your involvement in the program
We especially welcome those who have travelled long distances to participate.
We meet today in the oldest Government House in Australia, a place where many constitutional and ceremonial functions of our democracy are exercised.
It is therefore especially fitting to welcome to it a group of young people who are taking part in an important civic education program.
I was appointed as Governor by Her Late Majesty The Queen four and a half years ago and will pay a farewell call on His Majesty The King later this month before completing my term on 6 October.
It has been an honour and a privilege to serve South Australia as Governor.
My responsibilities as Governor are often referred to as the “three Cs” – Constitutional, Ceremonial and Community.
As this audience would be well aware, as representative of the Crown in South Australia I give Royal Assent to Bills passed by Parliament, preside over meetings of the Executive Council in the library through there, dissolve Parliament before an election, swear in Ministers here in the ballroom, and open each new session of Parliament.
In fulfilling these responsibilities, I of course act on the advice of the Government.
The ceremonial activities are many and varied.
For example, also here in the ballroom, twice a year, I invest with the insignia of their office awardees in the Australian Honours System, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to our community.
At a community level, Rod and I travel throughout the State to connect with communities and hear of, and recognise, their achievements and challenges.
In particular, we have made it a priority to visit as many schools as we can and are closing in on our aspiration to visit every high school in South Australia. We have more than likely been to many of your schools or former schools. These visits have reinforced our confidence in young South Australians.
Wherever we have travelled we have met thoughtful, capable, and engaged young people who care deeply about their communities.
Such community spirit is at the heart of the diverse issues you are exploring through this year’s Youth Parliament.
These include, but are not limited to, equipping students with future-ready skills, increasing access to services for homeless people, improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, improving public transport and regulating AI.
Democracy invites participation. It depends on people who listen, question, debate, and contribute. That is exactly what each of you are doing through Youth Parliament.
Youth voices are important. Youth voices can shape policy and help develop our State.
You have a deep sense of justice; you care about your world and have a willingness to participate in our civic processes and be advocates for change.
You are debating this week a wide range of issues.
I know the arguments will be delivered with enthusiasm and a unique insight shaped through the lens of youth.
By coming together and exploring these issues against the backdrop of differing life experiences, values, opinions and even vulnerabilities, you will make progress through showing respect not only for diverse views, but respect for each other.
Democracy is strongest when we listen beyond our own viewpoints and draw on others’ experience and knowledge from regions as well as cities, from First Nations, from other cultures from people living with disability.
I thank the YMCA and the Youth Parliament task force for their commitment to mentoring young leaders and fostering civic education.
Through the Governor’s Civics Awards, started by my predecessor The Hon Hieu Van Le, I have been delighted to add my own contribution to fostering civic education.
Friends
One day you may be back here at Government House to receive an award, attend a function honouring service, be sworn in as a Member of Cabinet, or even be standing where I am now.
I hope you, as Youth Parliamentarians, will continue to be leaders wherever life takes you. I encourage you to always be curious, questioning, engaged and connected with your communities as you in the words of Youth Parliament: “Make your mark”.