 Program's logo | |
| Abbreviation | QYP |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1996 |
| Type | Youth Parliament |
| Legal status | Non-profit |
| Purpose | Non-partisan youth government program |
| Headquarters | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Location |
|
| Region served | Queensland |
| Official language | English |
| Youth Governor | Jasmin Peak |
| Program Coordinator | Grace Campbell |
| Parent organization | YMCA |
| Affiliations | YMCA Youth Parliament |
| Website | https://www.ymcabrisbane.org/services/queensland-youth-parliament |
The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) is a nonpartisan YMCA run model parliament program and youth organisation, based in Queensland, Australia.
It is one of a number of Australian YMCA Youth Parliaments. Its purpose is to facilitate and encourage political and civic engagement in young Queenslanders as well as promote leadership skills.
Overview
QYP aims to provide a platform for young people to have their say on local, state and federal issues, build skills and parliamentary understanding, while simulating the Queensland Legislative Assembly in Queensland Parliament. The program selects one individual, aged 15 to 25 years old, to represent each electorate in the state, for a total of 93 participants (known as Youth Members).
The main component of the program is Youth Members developing Youth Bills (referred to as Youth Acts once passed) on their portfolio areas. These bills are debated at the Youth Parliament's Sitting week in Queensland Parliament House. Youth Bills that have been passed are signed by the Youth Governor for assent and then referred to the relevant Ministers within the Queensland Government for consideration.
Executive
Queensland Youth Parliament is run by a YMCA-employed Program Coordinator and a team of volunteers called the Executive. The Executive includes portfolio mentors, media officers, a Parliamentary team, a Recreations, Community Engagement, Education and Sponsorship team, and the Youth Governor. The current Youth Governor is Her Excellency, the Honourable Jasmin Peak and the current Program Coordinator is Grace Campbell.
Other programs
Queensland Youth Parliament's Executive runs other programs alongside the Youth Parliament to promote political and civic engagement in young Queenslanders. This includes the "Your Voice Heard Blog" featuring blog posts and opinion pieces from Youth Members and other young Queenslanders, and various summits and forums.
In 2021, the program ran its first ever Regional Tour, aimed at promoting youth engagement with politics in rural areas.
History
The first Australian Youth Parliament was held in Brisbane in 1963 as a one time event, based on the American "YMCA Youth and Government" concept, however Queensland's program didn't begin until much later.
The first session of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament was held in 1996 and has been run annually since. Currently the program is in its 28th year, and thousands of young people have been involved in the program.
Former Youth Governors
| Year | Youth Governor |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Nelson Savanh |
| 2017 | Catherine Cassells |
| 2018 | Drew Cutler |
| 2019 | Alexandria Brown |
| 2020 | Jack Hill |
| 2021 | Benjamin Crowley |
| 2022 | Portia Allison |
| 2023 | Jamie Robbins |
| 2024 | Jordan Engel |
| 2025 | Jasmin Peak |
Notable alumni
Alumni of the program include Kate Jones, former Queensland MP and Minister who was Youth Premier when she completed the program.
Format
The program consist of three main phases; Launch Weekend, an interim research and drafting period, and Residential Sitting Week.
In early April, Youth Members attend a 3-day Launch Weekend where they meet other Youth Members, discuss ideas and are educated on the legislative processes of the Legislative Assembly. Parliamentary Portfolios are formed and begin to plan for Youth Bills.
In between Launch Weekend and Residential Sitting Week, the research and drafting phase occurs. Youth Members consult with community, stakeholders and Members of Parliament on their Youth Bills. They then draft the Bill and amendments to the Bill, as well as policy proposals on various topics. Drafting is facilitated by Portfolio Mentors, and assisted by the Queensland Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Youth Members are encouraged to engage with their community, which may include volunteering or other advocacy work.
The program culminates in a seven-day Residential Sitting Week in September where Youth Members debate their Youth Bills and Matters of Public Importance in Queensland Parliament House. Youth Bills that have been passed are referred to Government and Opposition, with a view to providing politicians and their advisors with practical solutions to the concerns of young Queenslanders.
Portfolios
Youth Members are organised into portfolios based on their areas of interest. In 2023, the portfolios are:
- Portfolio for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (ATSIP);
- Portfolio for Rural Communities, Transport and Main Roads, Communities and Housing (TORCH);
- Portfolio for Justice, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Police and Corrective Services (JPACS);
- Portfolio for Science, Tourism, Innovation, Sport and Digital Economy (STDE);
- Portfolio for Education, Employment and Small Business, Training and Skills Development, & the Arts (EETA);
- Portfolio for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Renewables and Hydrogen, & Energy (ERE);
- Portfolio for Health Services, Emergency and Ambulance Services, & Seniors and Disability Services (HEADS); and
- Portfolio for Regional Development and Manufacturing, Resources, Agriculture, & Trade and Investment (RARE).
See also
- Junior State of America, a similar organisation
- YMCA Youth Parliament
- YMCA NSW Youth Parliament
- Commonwealth Youth Parliament
References
- ^ Kerr, Judith (16 October 2018). "Age no barrier at Youth Parliament". couriermail. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ Archer, Melissa (4 April 2014). "New faces of parliament". couriermail. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- "'We can't have our babies in prison': Children as young as 13 served with domestic violence orders in Queensland". www.abc.net.au. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- Pearce, Matthew (14 May 2021). "Voice for Gladstone youth". Central Queensland Today. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ "YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Executive Team - YMCA Brisbane". www.ymcabrisbane.org. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "Youth Parliament's first ever tour to Rockhampton". Courier Mail. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ Cripps, Sally (19 October 2015). "Young politicians tackle big ag issues". Queensland Country Life. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- Pearce, Matthew (24 June 2021). "Youth raise their voices". Central Queensland Today. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- Hansen, Inge (4 February 2015). "Kate Jones' journey from youth 'Premier' to political giant-killer". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- "Teenager To Represent Greenslopes in the Upcoming September Parliament". Greenslopes News. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ Barnsley, Warren (13 April 2014). "'We're not afraid to voice our opinions'". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- "Mahsa's week in parliament". ABC Radio. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- Magee, Isabella. "This year's Youth parliament members: Hervey Bay, Maryborough". townsvillebulletin.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.