Western Australia’s (WA) Youth Parliament sees success with the six-day residential camp marking the beginning of the 12-month program.
This year’s cohort is made up of 56 young people who act as “youth members” expressing political views, concerns, and solutions that affect their community.
Throughout the program, participants spend time in committees developing bills, debating the legislation, and discussing other motions in Parliament with those who have the power to make change.
This year, eight bills were debated in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, all of which passed by a majority vote and will be handed to the State Government and Opposition for consideration.
Bills included ensuring educational equality between private and public schooling, implementing a state-run rental affordability scheme, introducing rehabilitative art programs in WA prisons, and more.
Youth Parliament Coordinator Joshua Peckover said it is uncommon for all bills to be passed and all members worked well during the camp to make this happen.
“It is testament to the compromise and teamwork that was displayed by the 29th Youth Parliament,” he said.
For the first time in the program, both the Leader of the Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition were young people from regional Western Australia.
This put regional Western Australia at the centre of their legislative agenda and often included the experiences of young people living regionally in their debate and consideration of the bill topics.
Youth Parliament also provides the opportunity for personal development, leadership skills, public speaking ability, and lifelong friendships that are forged throughout the experience.
The Y (formerly the YMCA) WA Youth Parliament is the most senior youth advisory body to the WA Government and gives young people aged 15-25 the ability to gain first-hand experience of our parliamentary processes.
Joshua Peckover said the success of this year’s Youth Parliament was made possible due to the funding The Y receives from the Department of Communities to ensure the program is delivered to a high standard each year.
“The funding allows the program fees to remain low and decreases financial barriers to participation among participants,” he said.
“The funding also ensures the program is adequately resourced, resulting in a professionally delivered program that prioritises the quality of the experience and support for participants on camp.”
