Junior Parliament

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:41): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak about some wonderful young people from the local King community and from across South Australia.

Mr Boyer: What about Service SA?

Ms LUETHEN: Last month, I had the pleasure to attend the fourth annual sitting of Junior Parliament. Junior Parliament is a program run by—

The SPEAKER: The member for Wright is warned.

Mr Boyer: Talk about Service SA for once.

Ms LUETHEN: I care about young people.

Mr Boyer: Have a bit of courage. Come on.

The SPEAKER: Member for Wright, if you continue you will be leaving.

Ms LUETHEN: Junior Parliament is a program run by YMCA South Australia and gives children aged between 12 and15 an opportunity to live the life of a member of parliament for a day. The children were given the chance to develop debates surrounding highly complex issues, such as equal pay opportunities, STEM employment options for women, disability services, mental health and energy prices. It was so inspiring to see the level of dedication each of the students put into formulating their arguments as each bill was debated.

One of my major takeaways from the event was how polished and articulate these young people were in explaining their position during the debate. Their ideas were unique and refreshing, and I was blown away by just how much passion these children had for each topic. I was blessed to be able to speak to one of my local residents on the day who outlined to me that she was participating in Junior Parliament for the third consecutive year.

Experiences like Junior Parliament can provide a gateway for the next decade of leaders for our state, and it is refreshing to see gender equality in the participation. I have no doubt in my mind that each and every young person, male and female, who attended Junior Parliament will flourish, and they are well on their way to doing so already. I encourage young people in the King electorate to participate in Junior Parliament.

Since attending the Junior Parliament sitting, I have had the privilege of hosting many young people from King and groups through here in Parliament House. Over the past month alone, I have conducted tours from Pedare Christian College, Golden Grove High School, Salisbury Park Primary School and the One Tree Hill Scout Group. Being able to show these groups of young people how parliament works and explain how a bill becomes law, with their active involvement, has been fun and inspiring. For many people, it is the first time they have had experience of parliament and government.

During the tours, groups have debated whether homework should be banned, whether mobile phones should be banned in school and other interesting bills, such as introducing more sports into schools. The level of engagement has been fantastic and highlighted young people's openness to really having a say in a respectful debate on matters that impact them. It was exciting to see students, who ranged from year 3 to year 9, have such a passion for important topics that influence their lives.

The One Tree Hill Scout Group Leader, Chad Ownsworth, said that his group and their parents were so happy with their opportunity to visit parliament that they now want to invite me to their whittling night to let me see them in their environment after they had visited me in mine. I look forward to spending more time with these local community groups as well as other school students to show them how parliament works and to get them to have their say.

Engaging our young people with decisions in our community is vitally important, and I am so thrilled to play just a small part in that process in my King community. If I can inspire just one person to follow their heart, ask questions, have a say and work hard to get a seat at the table with decision-makers on community topics in order to shape the future of their state, I will be very grateful. I look forward to taking more community groups and organisations through parliament and have a large group from the King community coming in tonight.