CAPALABA’s Jordana Colvin will lead 93 youth parliamentarians from around the world into state Parliament House today as part of the 19th Queensland Youth Parliament.
The former Carmel College student, who graduated last year with an Overall Position (OP) of four, was elected as Opposition Leader of the Queensland Youth Parliament this week.
Her job this week will be to ensure debate is fair and balanced.
Pumicestone’s Crispin Scott was elected Youth Premier of Queensland and will also lead the group into the House for the YMCA Youth Parliament program..
Mr Scott will oversee proceedings in the Parliamentary chambers during the four-day sitting and will liaise between the youth and the government over the next year.
The sittings started with an Opening Ceremony at 1.30pm.
Debate will focus on eight Youth Bills along with discussion on topics including free university education, Australia’s future as a republic and legalizing marijuana.
All bills passed by the Queensland Youth Parliament will get the assent of Youth Governor Miss Bella Vecchio and will be handed to the relevant state ministers for consideration.
Ms Colvin, who is studying politics and Asia at Griffith University, said the Youth Parliament was an apolitical program and she did not represent the ALP.
“I am the Youth Opposition Leader plus the Youth Member for Capalaba but do not represent the ALP,” she said.
She said her goals was to obtain a position in the public sector that would allow her to develop her skills in domestic and international politics and foreign relations.
Speaker Fiona Simpson will host the event which is expected to be attended by more than 20 MPs.