Your Voice Matters

A Guide to Public Speaking on Political Policies

Prepared by the Central Coast Conservative Alliance

1. Why Speak Up About Policies?

Political policies are the rules and plans that governments create to manage things like education, healthcare, the environment, and community safety. These decisions affect your life right now — and they will shape the world you grow up in.

Speaking publicly about policies is one of the most powerful things you can do as a young person because:

• You bring a fresh perspective. Adults don't always see issues the way young people do. Your viewpoint matters.
• You are directly affected. Policies on education, climate, mental health, and employment impact your generation the most.
• You can influence change. Decision-makers listen when young people speak up clearly and confidently.
• You develop lifelong skills. Public speaking, critical thinking, and civic engagement are valuable no matter what career you choose.

2. Understanding Political Policies

Before you can speak about a policy, you need to understand what it is and how it works.

What is a policy?

A policy is a plan of action adopted by a government, party, or organisation. For example:

• A plan to make public transport free for students under 18
• A rule requiring schools to teach First Nations history
• A proposal to increase funding for youth mental health services
• A plan to reduce carbon emissions by 2035

Key questions to ask about any policy

1. What problem is this policy trying to solve?
2. Who benefits from this policy? Who might be disadvantaged?
3. How will it be paid for? What are the costs involved?
4. Is there evidence that it will work? Has it been tried elsewhere?
5. What are the alternatives? Is there a better way?

3. Doing Your Research

Good research is the backbone of a strong speech. An audience will respect you far more if your claims are backed by evidence.

Where to find reliable information

• Government websites (e.g., aph.gov.au) — official policy documents and parliamentary debates
• Reputable news outlets — The Guardian, The Conversation
• Research organisations — Grattan Institute, Australia Institute, Lowy Institute
• Community organisations — groups directly affected by the policy
• Statistics — Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs.gov.au)

How to spot unreliable sources

• No author or organisation is named
• Extreme or emotional language with no evidence
• The source only presents one side
• It asks you to share before reading
• It contradicts multiple credible sources

Taking good notes

When you research, always write down:

• The key fact or quote
• The source (who said it, where, when)
• Whether it supports or challenges your position

4. Building Your Speech

A great speech has a clear structure. Think of it like a house — it needs a strong foundation, solid walls, and a roof that brings it all together.

The basic structure

A. Opening (10% of your speech)

Grab attention and state your main point. You could:

• Start with a surprising fact or statistic
• Tell a short, relevant personal story
• Ask a thought-provoking question
• Use a brief quote from someone respected

Then clearly state your position: "Today I want to talk about why [policy] matters to young Australians, and why I believe we should [support/oppose/change] it."

B. Body (80% of your speech)

Present 2–3 strong arguments. For each one:

1. State your point clearly
2. Support it with evidence (facts, statistics, examples)
3. Explain why it matters — connect it back to real life

C. Acknowledging the Other Side

A strong speaker shows they have considered different viewpoints. For example:

"Some people argue that [opposing view]. I understand this concern, however [your response with evidence]."

This makes you appear fair, thoughtful, and well-prepared.

D. Conclusion (10% of your speech)

• Summarise your key points briefly
• Restate your position with conviction
• End with a call to action: What do you want your audience to do, think, or feel?

5. Delivering With Confidence

What you say matters — but how you say it matters just as much.

Voice

• Speak slowly. Nerves make us speed up. Pause between points.
• Vary your tone. A flat voice loses attention. Let your voice rise and fall naturally.
• Project. Speak to the person at the back of the room, not to your notes.
• Pause for effect. After an important point, pause for 2–3 seconds. Silence is powerful.

Body language

• Stand tall. Good posture shows confidence even when you don't feel it.
• Make eye contact. Look at different parts of the audience, not just one spot.
• Use hand gestures naturally. Don't grip the podium or hide your hands in your pockets.
• Move with purpose. A small step forward can emphasise a point. Avoid pacing or swaying.

Using notes

• Use dot-point cue cards, not a full script — this keeps you sounding natural.
• Write key words in large, clear text so you can glance down quickly.
• Number your cards in case you drop them.
• Practise enough that you only need to glance at your notes, not read from them.

6. Keeping It Respectful

Talking about politics can get heated. As a young speaker, you can stand out by being passionate but respectful.

Golden rules

• Attack the policy, not the person. Say "This policy fails to address youth unemployment" rather than "The minister is an idiot."
• Use facts, not insults. Evidence is always more persuasive than name-calling.
• Respect your audience. Some may disagree with you — that's healthy democracy in action.
• Be honest. If you don't know something, say so. "That's a great question — I'd need to look into that further" is a perfectly strong response.
• Acknowledge complexity. Most policy issues are not simple. Showing that you understand this earns respect.
• Be inclusive. Consider how policies affect people from different backgrounds, cultures, and circumstances.

7. Handling Questions and Disagreements

After your speech, you may face questions or pushback. This is a good thing — it means people are engaged!

Tips for Q&A sessions

• Listen fully before responding. Don't interrupt or start formulating your answer while the person is still talking.
• Repeat or rephrase the question so the whole audience can hear it: "So the question is about..."
• Stay calm. If someone is aggressive, take a breath. Respond to the content, not the tone.
• It's okay to say "I don't know." Follow it with: "But I'd be happy to look into that" or "That's something worth exploring further."
• Bridge back to your main point: "That's an interesting perspective, and it connects to what I was saying about..."

When someone disagrees

1. Thank them for sharing their view
2. Find any common ground: "I agree that [shared concern] is important..."
3. Respectfully explain where you differ and why
4. Avoid getting into a back-and-forth argument — make your point and move on

8. Managing Nerves

Even experienced speakers get nervous. Nerves are actually a sign that you care about doing well. Here's how to manage them:

Before the speech

• Prepare thoroughly. Confidence comes from knowing your material.
• Practise out loud at least 3–5 times. Practise in front of a friend or family member.
• Visit the venue beforehand if possible, so it feels familiar.
• Breathe. Try box breathing: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3 times.
• Arrive early so you can settle in without rushing.

During the speech

• Focus on your message, not on yourself. You're there to share something important.
• Find friendly faces in the audience and speak to them.
• If you lose your place, pause, breathe, and check your notes. The audience won't mind.
• Remember: the audience wants you to succeed. They're on your side.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

10. Your Speech-Day Checklist

11. Speech Planning Template

Use this template to plan your speech. Fill in each section before you start writing.

12. Where to Learn More

Understanding Australian politics and policies

• Parliamentary Education Office — peo.gov.au — explains how Australian government works
• The Conversation — theconversation.com/au — expert analysis in plain language

Improving your public speaking

• Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program — structured speaking practice
• TED Talks — watch how great speakers structure and deliver talks
• School debating teams — an excellent way to practise arguing both sides

Getting involved

• Your local council — many have youth advisory committees
• Youth parliaments — YMCA Youth Parliament runs in most states
• Community organisations — volunteer with groups working on issues you care about