Youth pollies pass bill

YOUNG representatives of the Y Ballarat have presented a bill during YMCA Victoria’s recent Youth Parliament program.

The group of four developed the bill, which passed unanimously, that inclusive sex education should be taught in public high schools.

Speakers Holly Ellis and Hades Saldanha-Slater presented in the Legislative Assembly at Victorian Parliament House in front of about 40 peers who were representing schools, Y groups, and municipalities.

For a few months, the Ballarat team consulted with friends and LGBTQIA+ community members, including Barkly Square’s Rainbow Coffee group, to get their diverse, all-ages perspectives.

“It was really clear that something really needs to change around inclusive sex education,” Ms Ellis said.

Sixteen-year-old Saldanha-Slater is completing her VCE studies at Phoenix College and said the team’s aim while writing the bill was to educate people.

“It’s for LGBTQ+ people, and people in general, because the bill was not only focused on things that impact people who may be queer, but things like STDs, which are really prevalent in our society, and ways to prevent pregnancy,” they said.

“School is supposed to be a safe place for us to learn, and if we’re not learning this stuff at school, we’re going to go to alternative sources which aren’t always going to be the best things for us.”

Ms Ellis said the thought of presenting in the upper house was nerve-wracking, but the moment she put on her new suit, she felt empowered and ready to go.

“Everyone was so kind in the chamber. It was such an inclusive and warm space,” she said.

Member for Western Victoria Andy Meddick acted as the day’s speaker and provided some feedback.

“He has trans kids and spoke about how helpful this bill would have been if it had been implemented when they were at school,” Saldanha-Slater said.

“He said it would have improved their lives, and that’s when we knew we were focusing on the right thing.”

Ms Ellis is 24 years old, has an interest in psychology, mental and sexual health, and is a volunteer with local and national Headspace youth reference groups.

“Growing up, I was always the quiet kid, and although I was a good student, no one looked to me as a leader,” she said.

“The Youth Parliament ad called for LGBT+ people in Ballarat to put a team together, so I signed up to have my voice heard.”

The Youth Parliamentarians attended a weekend camp to develop their leadership and presentation skills in May, before heading to a residential camp as part of their sitting week in Youth Parliament.

The Y Ballarat youth impact lead Asha Buckmaster said the organisation has been consulting local schools around how they can support their pride communities.

“Our Youth Parliamentarians were on the money in terms of representing young people’s views in Ballarat,” she said.