YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament

Last updated

AbbreviationQYP
Formation1996
TypeYouth Parliament
Legal statusNon-profit
PurposeNon-partisan youth government program
Headquarters Brisbane, Queensland
Location
  • 101 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Region served
Queensland
Official language
English
Youth Governor
Jasmin Peak
Program Coordinator
Grace Campbell
Parent organization
 YMCA
Affiliations YMCA Youth Parliament
Website https://www.ymcabrisbane.org/services/queensland-youth-parliament

The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) is a nonpartisan YMCA run model parliament program and youth organisation, based in Queensland, Australia. [1]

Contents

It is one of a number of Australian YMCA Youth Parliaments. Its purpose is to facilitate and encourage political and civic engagement in young Queenslanders as well as promote leadership skills. [2]

Overview

QYP aims to provide a platform for young people to have their say on local, state and federal issues, build skills and parliamentary understanding, while simulating the Queensland Legislative Assembly in Queensland Parliament. [1] The program selects one individual, aged 15 to 25 years old, to represent each electorate in the state, for a total of 93 participants (known as Youth Members). [2]

The main component of the program is Youth Members developing Youth Bills (referred to as Youth Acts once passed) on their portfolio areas. [3] These bills are debated at the Youth Parliament's Sitting week in Queensland Parliament House. Youth Bills that have been passed are signed by the Youth Governor for assent and then referred to the relevant Ministers within the Queensland Government for consideration. [4]

Executive

Queensland Youth Parliament is run by a YMCA-employed Program Coordinator and a team of volunteers called the Executive. [5] The Executive includes portfolio mentors, media officers, a Parliamentary team, a Recreations, Community Engagement, Education and Sponsorship team, and the Youth Governor. The current Youth Governor is Her Excellency, the Honourable Jasmin Peak and the current Program Coordinator is Grace Campbell. [5]

Other programs

Queensland Youth Parliament's Executive runs other programs alongside the Youth Parliament to promote political and civic engagement in young Queenslanders. This includes the "Your Voice Heard Blog" featuring blog posts and opinion pieces from Youth Members and other young Queenslanders, and various summits and forums. [6]

In 2021, the program ran its first ever Regional Tour, aimed at promoting youth engagement with politics in rural areas. [6] [7]

History

The first Australian Youth Parliament was held in Brisbane in 1963 as a one time event, based on the American "YMCA Youth and Government" concept, however Queensland's program didn't begin until much later.

The first session of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament was held in 1996 and has been run annually since. Currently the program is in its 28th year, and thousands of young people have been involved in the program. [8]

Former Youth Governors

YearYouth Governor
2016Nelson Savanh
2017Catherine Cassells
2018Drew Cutler
2019Alexandria Brown
2020Jack Hill
2021Benjamin Crowley
2022Portia Allison
2023Jamie Robbins
2024Jordan Engel
2025Jasmin Peak

Notable alumni

Alumni of the program include Kate Jones, former Queensland MP and Minister who was Youth Premier when she completed the program. [9]

Format

The program consist of three main phases; Launch Weekend, an interim research and drafting period, and Residential Sitting Week.

In early April, Youth Members attend a 3-day Launch Weekend where they meet other Youth Members, discuss ideas and are educated on the legislative processes of the Legislative Assembly. Parliamentary Portfolios are formed and begin to plan for Youth Bills. [10]

In between Launch Weekend and Residential Sitting Week, the research and drafting phase occurs. Youth Members consult with community, stakeholders and Members of Parliament on their Youth Bills. They then draft the Bill and amendments to the Bill, as well as policy proposals on various topics. Drafting is facilitated by Portfolio Mentors, and assisted by the Queensland Office of Parliamentary Counsel. [7]

Youth Members are encouraged to engage with their community, which may include volunteering or other advocacy work. [11]

The program culminates in a seven-day Residential Sitting Week in September where Youth Members debate their Youth Bills and Matters of Public Importance in Queensland Parliament House. [11] Youth Bills that have been passed are referred to Government and Opposition, with a view to providing politicians and their advisors with practical solutions to the concerns of young Queenslanders. [12]

Portfolios

Youth Members are organised into portfolios based on their areas of interest. [13] In 2023, the portfolios are:

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Kerr, Judith (16 October 2018). "Age no barrier at Youth Parliament". couriermail. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  2. 1 2 Archer, Melissa (4 April 2014). "New faces of parliament". couriermail. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  3. ↑ "'We can't have our babies in prison': Children as young as 13 served with domestic violence orders in Queensland". www.abc.net.au. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  4. ↑ Pearce, Matthew (14 May 2021). "Voice for Gladstone youth". Central Queensland Today. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 "YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Executive Team - YMCA Brisbane". www.ymcabrisbane.org. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Youth Parliament's first ever tour to Rockhampton". Courier Mail. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  7. 1 2 Cripps, Sally (19 October 2015). "Young politicians tackle big ag issues". Queensland Country Life. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  8. ↑ Pearce, Matthew (24 June 2021). "Youth raise their voices". Central Queensland Today. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  9. ↑ Hansen, Inge (4 February 2015). "Kate Jones' journey from youth 'Premier' to political giant-killer". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  10. ↑ "Teenager To Represent Greenslopes in the Upcoming September Parliament". Greenslopes News. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  11. 1 2 Barnsley, Warren (13 April 2014). "'We're not afraid to voice our opinions'". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  12. ↑ "Mahsa's week in parliament". ABC Radio. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  13. ↑ Magee, Isabella. "This year's Youth parliament members: Hervey Bay, Maryborough". townsvillebulletin.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
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