MILDURA’S young people weren’t happy with the way recycling was being addressed.
So they seized the opportunity to take it to State Parliament, drafting a Bill to cut landfill impacts and methane emissions.
“We did a Bill about climate activism and different things we could do to combat climate change as well as focusing a lot on environmental protection work,” Youth Parliament 2023 team member Evie Olley said.
“It was a lot of brainstorming ideas for the actual Bill and ironing out all of the creases that came with it. We tried doing a lot of thinking that if we were fighting the Bill, how would we attack it.”
Mildura’s young people aged between 16 will again have the opportunity to strive for change by applying for the YMCA Youth Parliament Mildura team.
A team of six participants will be selected to to participate in State Parliament processes, receive training in public speaking and leadership, attend residential camps and research relevant issues.
From this research, participants will develop a Bill to be debated in the Victorian Parliament over three days in July.
Ms Olley encouraged other young people to get involved and learn more about politics.
“It is a good experience and if you want to have that unique experience of stepping into parliament it is definitely a good opportunity,” she said.
“I learnt a lot of debating skills, public-speaking skills and we learnt a bit on how to present in parliament and how politicians present in parliament.
“You also get to meet a lot of different people and it is a fun time.
“It is important to know about the system you are working for.”
Councillor for Community Health and Wellbeing Troy Bailey echoed this.
“The program provides young people in our region with an invaluable personal and professional development opportunity,” he said.
“It also gives our potential future leaders a chance to represent our region and make real change at the highest level of Victorian State Government.
“Each year we see our young leaders stand up and represent us so well, showing the rest of Victoria what young people in regional communities are capable of.”
The online registration form can be completed at mildura.vic.gov.au/YouthParliament.
Applications close on January 22.
