Bill Shorten forum - Panel biographies

Michael Hands. Photo: Dean McNicoll.

Michael Hands
Year 12
Emmanuel College
Queensland

My first interest in politics came from discussions around the dinner table.

Even when I was little I remember listening to the older half of my family debate politics and current affairs. Ever since my interest has increased. Politicians are the men and women of today that will be shaping tomorrow and that in itself fascinates me. I one day hope to be involved in some sort of aspect of politics, wether it be a political journalist or a politician myself. It is definitely something I would love to be apart of.

When first given the opportunity to apply for Talkback Classroom I was very honoured and excited. To come down to Canberra and interview some of the movers and shakers of Australia is an opportunity of a lifetime. It has been very stimulating to learn about how to interview people and how to construct questions. Talkback Classroom has offered me an opportunity to expand my horizons but also to be a 'voice for the voteless', as well as hopefully deal with the issues that teenagers face today but are overlooked by most politicians.

Talkback Classroom has proven to be a program that has succeeded in deepening my interest in politics and also in expanding my horizons.

Sharon Stratton. Photo: Dean McNicoll.

Sharon Stratton
Year 12
Narrabundah College
Australian Capital Territory

My name is Sharon Stratton, and I am currently studying year 12 at Narrabundah College. I am very interested in Politics, Languages and English and hopefully I will be studying Journalism or International Relations at university next year. Talkback Classroom first sparked my interest with the Korea/Australia Forum earlier this year. Since then, the Shorten panel is my first proper forum and I'm really excited about meeting such a high-profile politician.

Being a full-time student and working at a part-time job, I'm keen to question Mr Shorten on issues related to youth employment and youth involvement/support with unions. The whole process is a real learning journey and I've been kept very busy researching and keeping up-to-date with the latest Shorten information. It's so important for the youth to feel like they have a voice, and I believe that giving teenagers like myself the chance to come face-to-face with prominent politicians is a fantastic opportunity to discuss issues important to us. It should also be very interesting seeing what Mr Shorten has to say about our current environmental issues!

Grace Keyworth. Photo: Dean McNicoll.

Grace Keyworth
Year 11
Lake Ginninderra College
Australian Capital Territory

My name is Grace Keyworth and I am in year 11 at Lake Ginninderra College in the ACT. I got interested in Talkback Classroom when I got dragged along to one of the forums by the librarian at my high school. At first I didn't know what to expect but when the forum started I became really interested because for once it was the youth asking the questions, not the adults. Attending the forums became a regular event for me and then I participated in the actual forum by being a discussion panelist earlier this year.

After getting a 'rehearsal' and finding out how fun and informing being involved in the interview was, I applied to be on the interview panel. I'm interested in politics and debating, particularly in getting the youth informed and involved in important issues, as I believe the youth of today are not as involved as they should be. I'm on the Shorten panel which I'm very excited about it. I can't wait to question him on all things Shorten!