The federal election marked a change in direction for the country but it also signalled the beginning of 35 new political careers.

As parliament returns once again, many of these newly elected parliamentarians are making their first speeches, a permanent record of their intentions that their actions in Canberra will be compared against.

So what are they saying? And what do their speeches tell us about the challenges facing Australia right now? 

Today, writer and contributor to The Monthly Sean Kelly on first speeches, optimism, and compromise.

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Guest: Writer and contributor to The Monthly, Sean Kelly

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