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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-12-03 Daily Xml
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Youth Parliament

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. T.A. Franks:

That this council notes—

1. The youth bills and acts written, debated and passed by the 2014 Youth Parliament of South Australia during this year’s YMCA Youth Parliament program;

2. The outstanding work of the participants and task force of the Youth Parliament program in producing and debating these pieces of legislation;

3. The active engagement of our state’s youth in their communities and in the state’s decision-making process; and

4. The importance and value of youth voice and advocacy, particularly on issues that directly affect youth.

(Continued from 29 October 2014.)

The Hon. T.T. NGO (20:10): I rise to add my congratulations to all involved in the 2014 South Australian Youth Parliament and I thank the Hon. Ms Franks for bringing this motion to this house. Many of our fellow Westminster system countries have established youth parliaments, as has the European Union. Like those and our various state counterparts, the South Australian Youth Parliament has been devised to give young people in our jurisdiction between the ages of 15 and 24 an opportunity to inform the state government about issues that are important to them and relevant to the lives of their peers in this state.

Through the YMCA of South Australia and with the assistance of the Office for Youth and the Law Foundation, young participants are brought together to explore all aspects of the program and determine their involvement before joining a team to devise a bill and develop skills in public speaking, parliamentary etiquette and the legislative process. The bills are debated in Parliament House under existing protocols and the bills passed are sent on to the state government, providing an invaluable window into the issues that are important to those who will eventually take our places here and who will eventually work in communities across this state and country to affect change and share their values.

Just some of the bills debated this year included reducing the voting age, same-sex marriage, therapeutic sexual services, same-sex adoption, a ban on jumps racing, the mental health of young people and the solar industry in this state. Doesn't this just show the value of this forum: taking young South Australians and letting them articulate the values they will take into the future. Youth Parliament is giving them a place to debate, work as a team and learn about our democratic system. I highlight the relevance of the issues facing young members of our community and in particular how the Youth Parliament's program acts as a forum and a voice for those issues. I regret not participating in Youth Parliament when I was growing up. This is due to—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway interjecting:

The Hon. T.T. NGO: Correct—my focus on involving myself in wider community activities such as sport and volunteering. I did not understand much about politics until well into my early 20s when I ran for council. By then, I became almost too old for Youth Parliament.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens: What are you, 47 now are you? 48?

The Hon. T.T. NGO: It depends on what country. During this year's Youth Parliament proceedings, a young man from Woodville High School raised the issue of two young Woodville High School students who were taken from community detention. Their removal sparked a campaign called 'Two Too Many', and a rally was held on the Parliament House steps which the Hon. Tammy Franks and I attended—apologies if I missed anyone else. I would estimate there were at least 1,000 other people in attendance, too.

This was an issue directly affecting two young members of our community, and this forum gave a voice to other young South Australians. I would like to congratulate the students of Woodville High School for being shortlisted recently for the Young People's Human Rights Medal. The students were shortlisted for bringing national attention to the issue of children and young people in detention by coordinating rallies, working with local politicians and campaigning via social media.

The Youth Parliament provides a unique opportunity for young people to engage in the formal political process, as well as having a real input into the future of South Australia, particularly with regard to matters that are of specific interest to their demographic. Significantly, as well as providing access to the formal practices and procedures of the parliamentary process, the Youth Parliament gives them a chance to learn their own politics, with a non-partisan policy-strong focus and, in a sense, that is part of its value to young people, who may not necessarily look at the political process in the same ways as those who, like us, are older.

Youth parliaments do encourage a desire to participate in the political process and provide an opportunity for our young people to get involved. The experiences that follow do afford them agency and the fulfilment of arriving at tangible results. Such experiences can ignite a lifelong interest in politics and, for some, a commitment to a career in the political environment. Next year, in 2015, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Youth Parliament. I take the opportunity once again to commend and congratulate all involved in this continuing initiative, and as a new member of this house, I look forward to watching and participating in this program across the years to come.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (20:18): I rise on behalf of the opposition to support the motion of the Hon. Tammy Franks about the great work of the Youth Parliament, which calls on elected members of parliament to recognise the leadership and commitment of young people in South Australia. I congratulate the Hon. Tammy Franks for moving this motion and I also congratulate all the young leaders for being involved.

I understand that next year, in 2015, the Youth Parliament program will be celebrating its 20th year of running independently, which is a fantastic achievement. Youth Parliament is the only youth forum that has a direct impact on legislation and it provides a unique experience for the participants involved. YMCA SA Youth Parliament is a personal development program designed to give young South Australians a chance to be heard at the highest levels of state government on a wide range of issues relevant to young people's lives.

I am sure honourable members will agree with me that our youth today is the future of our state, the building blocks of our nation. And, as the world get smaller and smaller and more and more people become more connected by travels and technology all around the world, these young people are global citizens. This is why it is extremely important to ensure that they are provided with a platform like Youth Parliament to enhance their leadership skills, allow them to express their views and stand up for issues that are important.

Youth Parliament delivers a rigorous program that develops strong leadership and public speaking skills. Every year, the program attracts talented young people to speak their mind and present their arguments. After reading through the Youth Bills and Acts report for 2014, I was pleased to learn that the participants undertook a number of very thought-provoking and heavily debated legislation. One of the pieces of legislation that I was most interested in was the Multicultural Support Act 2014, which passed both houses. This act focused on multicultural youth and argued for the establishment of a school support system for children transitioning between home and school environments.

On the topic of multiculturalism, I was delighted to sponsor a progressive young migrant in the Youth Parliament program this year. His name is Bez Mohammadi, a 16-year-old Para Hills High School student. Bez came to Australia as an Afghanistan refugee. Since his arrival, Bez has been actively involved in various festivals and activities at his local community centre for the Afghan community and other multicultural communities. In addition to English, he speaks fluent Dari and Persian languages.

While completing his final years at school, he volunteered his time conducting weekly workshops at eLabtronics helping primary school students and young migrants learn to program microchips and electronics while learning literacy, numeracy and life skills in the process. This energetic young man seems to be able to squeeze more into his life than most people. He also plays sports and works as a referee at the Football Federation of Australia.

I met Bez at a fundraiser where he was helping to raise awareness of young student volunteers from a cultural and linguistic background and doing lots of work at the eLabtronics STEMSEL Foundation. I was impressed by his confidence and enthusiasm in helping young people to build life skills. Bez demonstrated great leadership for someone as young as 14 (that was the time when I first met him). When he turned 15, I encouraged him to apply for the Youth Parliament program and offered to sponsor him. I am very glad I did. He was an excellent candidate.

After the six-month program Bez had a glowing report about the tasks he was able to achieve during Youth Parliament. I was delighted that he found Youth Parliament to be a worthwhile and rewarding experience. He also informed me that his commitment to Youth Parliament allowed him to complete 10 units from his SACE course, which was an excellent outcome.

I see a bright future ahead for someone like Bez and many young members in our community who have participated in Youth Parliament. Honourable members may be interested to know that some of our current elected members in the other place were formerly successful youth parliamentarians, namely: John Gardner, the member for Morialta, who is the shadow minister for police, correctional services and justice, and Stephan Knoll, the member for Schubert. They are both very outstanding members. Other people who were former youth parliamentarians have followed their political interests into local government: Councillor Brad Vermeer, Deputy Mayor of the City of Salisbury—

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: His Half Worship. Get it on the record.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Very cute.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens: Half Worship.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: Half Worship, get it on the record. Of course, he is a very talented staffer for the Hon. John Dawkins. Councillor Talis Evans was recently elected as councillor for the Prospect council. Councillor Samantha Mitchell is a councillor at the Light Regional Council. They are wonderful young members, just to name a few.

Youth Parliament is an important program which allows the youth of South Australia to raise their voices and advocate for issues that are important to them, as well as the wider community. I wish to congratulate the YMCA on organising this program every year for nearly 20 years. They provide a fantastic experience for today's youth to develop their leadership skills. No doubt, their contributions will continue to influence and shape the future of our nation. Thank you to the Hon. Tammy Franks for moving this very important motion. We are very pleased to support it.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (20:24): I will speak briefly in support of this motion this evening as I am aware that, in the dying days of this parliament, which is about to be prorogued, we have a lot of business to get through.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens: Wise woman; thank you.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I would like to put on the record that the Hon. Mr Stephens, very out of order, just interjected, 'Wise woman, wise woman.'

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Ms Vincent.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: I'm sorry, Mr President, that was my fault. I took the bait, and I admit that. I would like, as briefly as I am able, to congratulate wholeheartedly the participants and task force of this year's Youth Parliament on all their efforts and their achievements. As the youngest woman to have been appointed to an Australian parliament, the engagement of young people in the democratic process is a matter very close to my heart for obvious reasons.

Dignity for Disability, during this session, introduced legislation and next year will reintroduce legislation, following the prorogation, that would see many of the young people involved in the program able to vote, should they choose to do so, from the age of 16. Given some of the achievements that have been listed by other members speaking to this motion, I think that it just goes to show that the future is in good hands and that we can trust our young generations to do that, to cast their vote, and there are many young people out there waiting to do just that as the next step in their democratic journey.

As the program enters its 20th year in 2015, it is interesting to reflect on the contribution the program has made to this place as a source of ideas, connections with young people and, indeed, as the Hon. Ms Franks highlighted in her speech, it has also been a good source of staff for many of us. A number of members here and in the other place are previous Youth Parliament participants, as has been pointed out, or they have previous participants or task force members on their staff.

My own staff includes the former premier of Youth Parliament from the 2004 program, David Gustafsson, who then retired to undertake a career as a professional Ned Kelly impersonator and staff member to myself. For those who have missed that, that was a reference to the beard that makes him stand out a bit in this place. I am also aware that the Hon. Mr Wade has had in his office—

The Hon. T.J. Stephens: He has no beard.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: He has no beard. I don't know what to say to that. It's just a factual observation that he has no beard, not that we think any less of him for that. I don't have a beard! The Hon. Mr Wade's office has long been served very well by the services of another participant of the Youth Parliament of that same year, 2004, Mr Sandy Biar, who has recently left this place to go onto even more exciting things. I am sure that I speak for all of us when I say that I wish him well on what is ahead of him.

As I said earlier, I am conscious of the time and also conscious that I am getting a bit tired and making strange references to beards. I again congratulate all those who have worked hard on putting this year's program together and making it the success that it has been. I look forward to the next 20 years with great anticipation and look forward to continuing to support the program throughout that time.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (20:28): Firstly, I congratulate the Hon. Tammy Franks on bringing this motion to the chamber and highlighting the importance of the development of young leaders in our community across all facets of South Australia and, obviously, the benefits that go with it within our community but also beyond our state borders as well. There is a particular paragraph in the Hon. Ms Franks' speech in moving the motion that I would like to quote and to make a couple of quick comments on. It states:

The bill that got the most support, with a total of 90 yes votes across both houses, was the Youth Mental Health Accessibility Act. Following on from the words of the Hon. John Dawkins, who often brings up mental health issues and raises that very vital issue of mental health in this place, clearly young people think that mental health is also a priority and something that we should be acting upon.

That is just such a very important statement. In the work I do in suicide prevention and, more broadly, mental health areas, there is no doubt that the role of young people in breaking down the stigma of talking about these matters is so important. The Hon. Kelly Vincent is at least of an age where probably the stigma is not as great, but many of us have grown when our parents and grandparents and even our own generation have just had this roadblock in front of us about discussing these matters.

I am refreshed by the fact that many young people do not have that stigma. They do not understand why we will not talk about these matters. While some are influenced by older people to stay quiet, there is, I think, a growing move amongst the younger people today to bring these things out into the open. I think in that paragraph in particular, the Hon. Tammy Franks has highlighted that very well. It is an example of the way in which the Youth Parliament can help young people not only develop policies but also the way in which they wish to conduct their lives and the way in which they would like to influence people around them. Once again, I give great credit to the Hon. Tammy Franks for bringing this motion to the chamber.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (20:31): I thank all of the members who have made contributions: the Hon. Tung Ngo from the Labor Party, the Hon. Jing Lee and the Hon. John Dawkins from the Liberal Party, and the Hon. Kelly Vincent from Dignity for Disability. I think support for the Youth Parliament in this place is something that is wholeheartedly felt and expressed by all sides of politics from whatever political party or group in this parliament. We know that young people care about their future, but they also are the here and now.

I am very pleased that not only have we had supportive words tonight but that attention has been paid to this year's Youth Parliament. Certainly, when I introduced this motion I wanted to highlight the work that the Youth Parliament does and to table their bills and acts document for this year to bring that to the attention of members here not only tonight but into the future. At that time, I noted that originally the idea to ban plastic bags had come from a Youth Parliament motion in this place. Of course, the former premier now claims it as one of his proudest achievements. I find it quite appropriate to note that it was a Youth Parliament debate well before it came into this place, but to have that as one of your proudest achievements I think shows that young people do have a lot to teach us and that we can learn.

I am very pleased that, with the presentation of the bills and acts that youth parliamentarians have made this year to the various relevant portfolio holders, the ministers, they have received a response from minister Tony Piccolo regarding the Universal Access Act, and a very detailed and thoughtful response, I am told, by youth parliamentarians. They have also had a response from minister Ian Hunter regarding the Solar Industry Development Act and the APY Lands Education Reform Act. They have had a letter of congratulations from Deputy Premier John Rau. Participants were really thrilled to have received a response from the ministers.

Youth parliamentarians from Woodville High, as the Hon. Tung Ngo noted, are short-listed for the Human Rights Medal by the Australian Human Rights Commission for their work on the Bring Back the Woodville Kids campaign, or the Two Too Many campaign, as it is known. As the Hon. Tung Ngo mentioned, he and I stood on the steps with that thousand people a few months ago. We will not forget those boys.

I commend the youth parliamentarians of 2014 for fighting for those boys. They started the campaign out of the youth parliament that took place in this building, and those young people have built a mighty campaign. They have not yet won—we still do not know the whereabouts of those boys. We know that the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in this country leaves a lot to be desired, but I hope that that is one of the ideas that we will see a premier of the future in South Australia claim as their own and as their greatest achievement. With that, I commend the motion.

Motion carried.

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