Youth Parliament

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:57): My question is to the Minister for Human Services about the South Australian Youth Parliament. It is very encouraging to see so many young people having a keen interest in politics and the legislative framework of South Australia. Can the minister advise the chamber about this year's South Australian Youth Parliament?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for her question. I will start by acknowledging that there were a number of members of this chamber from all sides who attended, as well as a number of members of the House of Assembly who attended both the opening and closing ceremonies for the youth parliament, which ran from 9 to 13 July. During this time they take over both chambers of parliament and practice and hone their skills.

This important annual event, which has been put on by the YMCA for the last 22 years, starts with a selection process, and participants undergo a range of training. It culminates with the week they spend in the South Australian parliament debating various issues. It has been very pleasing to see a huge diversity of participants in terms of both different cultural backgrounds and regional diversity. The Governor, Charlie Stivahtaris, was a young man from the Riverland.

The bills that they debated were also very diverse. They debated such issues as regional health care access, which was in relation to equity for people in regional areas; a motion of public importance, which was related to sex health education; sustainable housing, which was proposing we use more shipping containers for housing; a greenhouse gas emissions reduction bill to apply to corporations; abortion law reform, relating to safe access rather than it being illegal, which I think is something that the parliament needs to attend to (that is my personal view); a mandatory disability education bill; training guidelines; a housing reform bill, which was for a new tax to fund housing, which didn't pass; an affordable electricity bill, increasing access to solar and consumer education; a regional transport assistance bill; an electoral amendment bill; a transparent wages bill; a digital direct democracy bill; a voluntary euthanasia bill; and they ran out of time for their national motion of public importance.

We were all at the start of the session. I remember remarking to one of my colleagues in this place that the participants were a very serious group of people in their suits, who were perhaps a little bit nervous. Certainly, by the end of the week, it was very relaxed, and clearly the participants had had a fantastic time in terms of their bonding, developing their skills and delving into a whole range of issues that hopefully will set them on their pathway to doing new and exciting things.

I congratulate the YMCA, I congratulate all the sponsors, and I particularly congratulate all the participants. We have put them on notice that next year, being the 125^th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote and to stand for parliament in South Australia, we would like them to have a particular focus at some stage on the Adult Suffrage Bill that passed 125 years ago, and I think they are very keen. I congratulate everybody who has been involved in that and look forward to next year's events.