High school students in years 10, 11 and 12 are being invited to take part in a new national competition called “My First Speech”.

Organised by the House of Representatives, students are required to write and video a three minute speech as if it was their first speech to parliament

“This is a great opportunity for young Australians to have a voice about issues that matter to them,” Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said.

"First speeches, previously known as maiden speeches, are an opportunity for newly-elected members to outline the issues they think are important and the difference they hope to make," he said.

In the competition, students need to imagine they’ve been elected to the House of Representatives. They need to think about the issues which are important to them and then write and video a speech which expresses their concerns, hopes and ideals. It may be a personal, local or national issue or issues, or maybe even a global concern.

Entries will be judged on language, content and delivery and the videos may be used as part of an upcoming public exhibition in Parliament House in Canberra.

The winner will receive a cash prize of $250 for themselves and $500 for their school. The runner up will receive $100 for themselves and $250 for their school. Both students will be invited to Canberra to attend the opening of a public exhibition on first speeches in Parliament House in July.

To support the competition, The Newsport is offering our services to those students who may not have access to a video camera, to film their first speech at our offices at Meridien Marina. Students can contact The Newsport on 4099 5122.

Entries close on Thursday 16 June 2011. For more information go to the competition website.