I rise today to read a speech written for the Raise Your Voice campaign by Gabrielle Colloff, a young retail worker and proud member of her union and my union, the SDA. Thank you, Gabrielle, for writing this important speech about what our new parliament should accomplish and for your work in supporting your colleagues as a union delegate.

Here are Gabrielle's words:

Retail workers are essential workers. The fact is, retail workers are the backbone of our economy. Australia must step up and protect the people who are our front line, the workers who keep the nation running, before it's too late.

Too many retail and fast-food workers are being abused at work, verbally and/or physically. Enough is enough. Everyone has the right to a safe work environment.

As challenges continue to unravel after the pandemic, now is the time for our society and economy, as well as our government and businesses, to show retail workers that they are a valued part of our nation.

In order to rebuild our society, the government must invest in maintaining and nurturing our workers, thus creating a safe work environment free from abuse.

Unions are only a small step towards achieving this, so it is vital for the government to continue supporting its workers. We must give them the respect they deserve.

Retail workers have always been essential, but now it is impossible to ignore. Time after time, retail workers are not being considered; instead, they are being taken for granted.

Doesn't the health and wellbeing of 1.5 million retail workers deserve attention, Australia?

Retail workers consistently face job insecurity, staff shortages and customer abuse.

It's time, Australia, to stop saying retail workers are essential and start treating them as essential.

I thank Gabrielle for her words and her advocacy. It has been an absolute privilege to bring her voice into the Senate today.