Ms Clark was Youth Minister for Mental Health, and received the Upper House Advocacy Award for the Mental Health Standing Report her committee produced. “It was my proudest moment of the camp,” Ms Clark said.
Four standing reports were presented – on Mental Health, Infrastructure and Planning, Drugs and Alcohol, Roads and Ports – and all were passed. Ms Clark said that many interesting and constructive suggestions were made. “The Roads and Ports Report was presented by Daniel Turner. A recommendation with regard to trucks was that transport containers be lighter, that compulsory weighing be introduced, and weights made clear.”
In just her second year of involvement, Theodora von Arnim was this year’s Youth Premier. “Being Premier meant that I had right of reply for every proposal,” Ms von Arnim said. “There were a range of bills presented from various portfolios – for example, Education, Health, and Aboriginal Affairs, which was my portfolio. Twelve bills were debated, including a Health Bill Fat Tax which is a 10 per cent levy [on sweet and fatty foods] to reduce the kilojoule density of foods.”
Ms von Arnim put forward a Bill to reduce recidivism rates for young Indigenous youth.
“It was about circle sentencing, developing a community approach, community rehab, and breaking down barriers between youth and police,” she said.
A Marriage Equality Bill was presented by Jarah Crook, Youth MP for the Sydney electorate. It met with unanimous support in the Lower House and was passed in the Upper House. A Teacher’s Aides Bill proposing a ratio of five students to one Teacher’s Aide in public schools was also passed unanimously. “It’s about giving students with learning difficulties the support they need,” Ms von Arnim said. “It’s also about increasing the base salary of Teacher’s Aides.”
Some of the Bills that have passed Youth Parliament have had an influence on government policy. A Youth Act passed in 2009 to implement compulsory swimming pool inspections has formed real legislation with the NSW government recently announcing amendments to the Swimming Pools Act calling for tougher restrictions on private pools.
Ms von Arnim, who was also the Youth Member for Marrickville, will visit with Carmel Tebbutt MP this month to share the opinions and hopes of her fellow youth parliamentarians.
Pip Clark and Theodora von Arnim thoroughly enjoyed the experience this year. They are grateful to the YMCA taskforce volunteers for organising such a stimulating and inspiring program. “The friendships we’ve made will last a lifetime,” Ms Clark said. “It’s so encouraging to work alongside so many articulate, like-minded people – people with different views able to have mature discussions.”
