Decision makers of the future
Young Tasmanians have marked the Centenary of Federation through a series of Youth Parliaments hosted by local Councils and schools over the last few months. Throughout the State, students from primary and secondary schools voiced their views as citizens and decision makers of the future.
Tasmanian Centenary of Federation Youth Parliament Project Coordinator, Margaret Reynolds, said young citizens have open and creative attitudes about their communities, and it was important to encourage partnerships between young people and policy makers.
Designed to complement the Melbourne commemoration on 9 May of the first sitting of Australia’s Parliament in 1901, the Tasmanian Youth Parliaments have been organised under the auspices of the Centenary of Federation Tasmania Office with assistance from the Tasmanian Department of Education.
Margaret Reynolds said that the project brought young people together in understanding the importance of Federation.
“There is a lot of cynicism when you tell young people that 100 years of democracy is important, but when they are encouraged to become involved there is an increase in interest through understanding,” she said.
The Youth Parliaments were a tangible and relevant way for Tasmanian youth to mark the centenary of the first sitting of Australia’s Parliament.
At the conclusion of each forum, students elected their own representatives to become young parliamentarians for a day, when they will sit in a special session of the Tasmanian Parliament in October.
A number of young parliamentarians will address both Houses of the Tasmanian Parliament. This will be the first time that an Australian Parliament has had a group of young people speaking during an official sitting of Parliament.
Students elected will be asked to provide a summary of their regional meeting to present to the Premier and leader of the Opposition at a luncheon hosted for them.
“The luncheon will provide the representatives with the chance to physically present the dreams and aspirations of those they are representing,” Margaret Reynolds said. “Through this, Tasmania’s youth communities will feel as though their issues are going somewhere. Issues range from youth suicide, unemployment and drug education to specific local issues, such as whether to build a bridge or tourist train on Flinders Island.”
Fourteen year olds, Kayala Brown and Jacinta Simmons from Break O’Day were elected to represent their region in the Tasmanian Parliament.
“I’m really honoured to be selected to go to Hobart in October,” Kayala Brown said.“I think it’s a great opportunity to let people know about the issues affecting young people in Break O’Day.”
Margaret Reynolds said the project brings the Tasmanian Parliament in touch with young people, ensuring youth issues are put firmly on the agenda.
