NEARLY 100 young people have taken on roles as the voice on the youth in their electorate.
The 93 youth members gathered at Queensland Parliament’s red chamber on Saturday to swear an oath of office for the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.
Youth Minister Di Farmer said the Youth Parliament was an ideal platform for government to engage with young people and hear their ideas about the future.
“The Youth Parliament is a unique opportunity for young people to be a voice for their community, learn about Queensland’s democratic process, share ideas and debate bills,” Ms Farmer said.
“This year the YMCA received 250 nominations from young Queenslanders from all over the state seeking to become part of the 23rd Youth Parliament.
“The high number of nominations for the 93 places available is a wonderful reflection that Queensland’s next generation of leaders is eager to have its voices heard.”
Ms Farmer said youth members would build skills to influence community and public decision-making, gain an understanding of parliamentary processes and learn how to engage with government.
“They will also enhance their skills in leadership, public speaking, teamwork and in influencing change,” she said.
“The Youth Parliament process also connects young people with their peers and to parliamentarians.”
Congratulating Asha Mortel, the youth member for his electorate, Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson she was the tenth youth member to represent the Cleveland district in the time he had been in Parliament.
“I first met Asha in 2016 when she visited Parliament as a school captain of Cleveland District State High School,” he said.
“Asha stood out back then for her interest in the people of Kalimantan and in environmental issues like jungle deforestation.
“Asha’s experience gleaned from visiting Indonesia several times places her in good stead to create a bill in the areas of agriculture, environment and natural resources.”
The Youth Parliament brings together representatives aged 15 to 25 from the 93 state electorates.
The state government provides the YMCA with more than $65,000 a year to fund the program.
The youth members form committees and discuss ideas and return to Brisbane in September for a residential program and to debate their bills in Parliament.
