Pip said: “Our report will recommend more counsellors in rural and regional areas, better access across the board, in conjunction with greater social media presence for mental health services.”
Youth Parliament is a realistic simulation of NSW Parliament. Youth parliamentarians follow the same processes and procedures as their adult counterparts, and also participate in Question Time, Matters of Public Importance and Private Members Business.
“A lot of my friends were doing it, and a cancellation gave me the opportunity to get involved,” Pip said. “I went along to a training camp in April. It was a weekend camp at Yarramundi, near Richmond. The YMCA Task Force led workshops in parliamentary etiquette, and we were assigned to various committees – transport, education, parliamentary and legal reform and industrial relations, as well as mental health.”
The Youth Parliament is apolitical. While there are no party affiliations, the program offers practical experience. The week-long residential camp is held at NSW Parliament House. Participants are encouraged to think about issues, to discuss and debate policies, to negotiate and pass Bills. Afterwards, the young people will present their Bills to relevant ministers in the NSW Parliament as an indication of youth opinion.
“I’d like to be a voice of the people,” Pip said. “Discrimination is still a real impediment to democracy. Some groups, some people have more say than others.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, Pip aspires to be a politician. “I remember Kevin Rudd’s victory in 2007,” she said. “I remember thinking, Why did that happen? I was really interested in the whole process. We’re the future,” she added. “We have a voice, even if we don’t have a vote.”
Youth parliamentarians are advocates for young people across NSW on a range of issues – they also have specific responsibility for their electorates. Jarah Crook is the Member for Sydney. Jessica Askew is the Member for Heffron. Newtown resident Theodora von Arnim is Youth Premier.
