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OPPOSITION leader Bill Shorten has congratulated Bendigo primary school student Rachael Hamilton for challenging the Prime Minister on the Federal Budget.
"Good on you Rachael from Bendigo for taking the time to write about your concerns," Mr Shorten wrote on Facebook on Saturday morning.
Mr Shorten shared the Bendigo Advertiser's report about Rachael Hamilton and how she has written a letter to Tony Abbott urging him to reconsider proposed GP co-payments and his asylum seeker policy.
More than 1000 of Mr Shorten's Facebook followers have 'liked' the post.
Rachael Hamilton, 10, said she didn’t like what she heard on Federal Budget night or in the news.
“I knew Tony Abbott was making bad choices and I got really annoyed about it,” she said.
“Joe Hockey is making people pay more for doctors when they can’t afford it.
“I had the idea to write a letter.”
Mr Shorten's Facebook post has received mixed reactions from his followers.
"Goodo!! A PM being taken to task by so many - even some not old enough to vote is what needs to happen," DesertDaisy Marie replied to Mr Shorten's Facebook post.
Another response included: "Using kids for your political agenda bill, is a new low..." from Nicholas Pispek.
Rachael's mum Bernadette Ward said any opportunity to engage in conversation and get young people talking about topical issues was important.
"So if Bill Shorten wants to take it up then I think that's great," she said on Saturday afternoon.
"I would really encourage lots of people to have the conversations.
"It's not about one side of politics versus the other.
"It's about having the conversations."
