Page 3498 - Week 11 - Thursday, 14 October 1993
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YMCA REGIONAL YOUTH PARLIAMENT
Papers and Statements
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, I ask for leave of the Assembly to present the Bills passed by the Canberra YMCA Regional Youth Parliament that was held from 28 to 30 September 1993, and to make a brief statement in relation to the matter.
Leave granted.
MS ELLIS: Madam Speaker, I present the Schools (Life Skills) Act 1993, the Permanent Youth Parliament Act 1993, the Crimes (Sexual Offence) Act 1900 Amendment Act 1993, and the Desexing of Cats and Dogs Act 1993. Madam Speaker, as I begin my brief statement, I would like to bring to members' attention the fact that we have a number of the young participants from the Youth Parliament in our gallery today. I had the pleasure of attending the final session of the Canberra YMCA Regional Youth Parliament on 30 September. It was held in the Senate chamber of the old Parliament House. My role that day was to receive on behalf of this Assembly the Bills passed by that parliament. The schools participating in this Youth Parliament were the Canberra Girls Grammar School, Daramalan College, Calwell High School, Radford College, Lake Ginninderra College and Narrabundah College. I understand that this YMCA initiative is a pilot program for next year's National Youth Parliament to be run as part of the 150th anniversary of the YMCA worldwide. The Australian YMCA has run youth parliaments for many years in Victoria and Tasmania. It is worthy of note that this whole process is uniquely run by a youth task force of past participants; hence, the whole program is both by youth and for youth.
Madam Speaker, everyone involved in this project deserves hearty congratulations. The authenticity of the Youth Parliament was certainly enhanced by the active participation and support of you, Madam Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and others from this parliament. The workings and processes were ensured by the participation and support of officers from this Assembly's secretariat. I know, from the accolades paid by the participants to all of those players, that they more than reflected the appreciation of that support and that participation.
Madam Speaker, we all often question, I am sure, what are the real concerns of our young people in our community; what are their opinions on matters of great social import. It is very interesting, and I believe very valuable, for members to consider the Bills debated and those passed by this Youth Parliament, and I commend them to this Assembly. I draw to your attention one of the major aims of the YMCA Youth Parliament - to develop in youth an interest in their own parliamentary system in an interesting and innovative way, whilst involving the youth in many other skills, such as public speaking and debating, discussing issues of importance to them and then documenting them.
Obviously the interactions and relationships which develop from such a project are of great value. I believe that the educational value of a project such as the YMCA Youth Parliament cannot be overstated. I know from my observations at that final session that the experience was evidently rewarding for all. Madam Speaker, Ms Cherie McLean, the YMCA task force leader, all participants, and everyone who supported in any way this valuable project are to be commended. However, I congratulate especially the students who, I believe, entered into and participated in this Youth Parliament at a level deserving of hearty congratulations.
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