THREE young people have the opportunity to learn about government and represent Redlands, Capalaba and Cleveland electorates as local youth parliament members.
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Chantel Sustic, of Thornlands, is the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Member for Redlands, Christopher Hillery represents Cleveland and Chloe Chloe Cufflin is the Capalaba representative.
The Youth Parliament has nearly 100 members aged between 15 and 25 who represent their community for a year.
It is the second year that Ms Sustic has held the position.
The 20-year-old graduated from Victoria Point State High School in 2014 and is studying a Bachelor of Education at Griffith University.
“I decided to do the program for the first time last year because I had never heard of it and it sounded like something I would enjoy,” she said.
“It jumped out at me because it meant that I would meet various different people from around Queensland and also get to discuss issues and topics that are important to us young people.”
Ms Sustic said there were many benefits from taking part in the program.
She said it gave her a voice to discuss issues that were important to her and gave her confidence in herself.
“I really love to empower young people, but I would really love to empower specifically young people with disabilities as I have a physical disability and know that those of us with disabilities can do anything we put our mind to.”
Alexandra Hills State High School student Chloe Cufflin thought the Queensland Youth Parliament would enable her to learn about politics.
The 17-year-old, who lives at Capalaba, said she would like to understand the issues affecting people, particularly the youth, in the area.
“Not only will my overall understanding of politics improve from the program, but my ability to seek out and develop beneficial and worthwhile solutions to issues and problems in the community will improve immensely,” she said.
Ms Cufflin described the Youth Parliament as an amazing program that taught people the ins and outs of politics, including the process of passing legislation.
The YMCA Youth Parliament started in 1996.
It is a non-partisan program designed to give young people the opportunity to learn through experience about the role and operations of government and empower them to have a positive impact in their community and on state government policies.
For information, visit ymcaqyp.org
