Opposition pledges boost to Youth Parliament

THE Opposition has made a pitch to Victoria’s youngest voters ahead of November’s election, pledging to raise the amount of money spent on the Youth Parliament program.

This year’s sitting of Youth Parliament was held at Parliament House last week, and the Coalition used the occasion to announce their government, if elected, would provide $120,000 a year for four years to the YMCA to run the program – an increase of $20,000 a year compared to current arrangements.

At the moment, Labor funds the program year by year.

Liberal Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay supported the announcement.

“This promise provides funding for four years – giving certainty to the program and more opportunities to young people who want to be part of it,” he said.

The funding will also provide more support for young people who are deaf or hard of hearing and support young people travelling from rural and regional areas.

Mr Ramsay chaired last week’s Youth Parliament – a role he has undertaken several times.

“It is a great opportunity to be involved with young people from across Victoria who have an interest in their state and a passion to be involved,” he said.

“Students from all walks of life assemble in the Parliament expressing views on legislation that matters to them.

“It’s a wonderful privilege to be part of the experience, and hopefully nurturing the next generation of leaders and thinkers.”

Youth Parliament was established in 1987. Each year, 120 students aged 16 to 25 undertake leadership training, team building and other activities.

Participants form teams of six and raise $4,000 to attend.

More than 25 pieces of state legislation have originated in the Youth Parliament, including roadside drug testing for drivers, over the counter availability of the morning-after pill, mandatory wearing of a bicycle helmet, removal of glass from identified high-risk entertainment venues, and gun reformation laws.