Budding young parliamentarians from the City of Whittlesea got a taste of the real deal through YMCA Victoria’s Youth Parliament program during the recent school holidays.
Young locals Annie, Jasmine, Victoria, Monica, Nina and Anna took part in the youth parliament program, which provides 16-to-25-year-olds with an opportunity to have their voices heard by the state government.
The City of Whittlesea team participated on behalf of the council and sponsored a bill aimed at improving accessibility in public transport, according to council administrator Peita Duncan.
Ms Duncan said the bill was “overwhelmingly supported” by the youth parliament in the Legislative Assembly.
“The Improved Accessibility in Public Transport Bill is an act to improve access to trains, stations and services, with a particular attention to the barriers faced by people with a disability,” she said.
Bills passed by the youth parliament and given the assent of the youth governor are passed onto the state government for consideration, with more than 30 pieces of state legislation originating there in the program’s 35-year history.
Mernda’s Annie, 18, said taking part in the youth parliament program was an amazing experience.
Annie is also a member of Whittlesea council’s youth advisory committee.
“The bill was the first and only bill in this year’s youth parliament to pass unanimously, which is incredibly exciting,” they said.
“The youth parliament program gave me a chance to put my current skill set to use, expand my knowledge, meet like-minded young people, and find a collaborative resource to continue to grow after the program finished.”
The program is traditionally run in the chambers of State Parliament but was held virtually this year.
