Liberal Nationals give young leaders a platform

A Liberal Nationals Government will ensure more young Victorians in Benambra have the chance to participate in Youth Parliament to influence and develop legislation that matters to them.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley MLA and Shadow Minister for Young Victorians Steph Ryan have announced a Liberal Nationals Government will provide $120,000 a year for four years to the YMCA to run the Youth Parliament program – an increase of $20,000 a year compared to current arrangements.

Mr Tilley said the funding boost will ensure more young Victorians with special needs and from disadvantaged backgrounds can participate.

In particular, it will help the YMCA support participants who are deaf or hard of hearing and help young people travelling from rural and regional areas.

Youth Parliament was established in 1987 and is run by the YMCA in conjunction with the Victorian Government.

Each year, it enables 120 students aged 16 to 25 to undertake leadership training, team building and other activities. Teams of six raise $4000 to attend.

In 2014, the Liberal Nationals established the YMCA Press Gallery to run alongside Youth Parliament, providing a newsroom environment to cover the activities of Youth Parliament.

Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Young Victorians Steph Ryan

Young people in Victoria have good ideas about how to improve our state and we want to hear them.

Twenty-five bills developed and debated by Youth Parliament have gone on to become legislation.

Empowering young people and taking their concerns seriously strengthens our democracy and makes today’s decision-makers accountable to the future leaders of our State.

Comments attributable to Member for Benambra Bill Tilley

Since its establishment, Youth Parliament has provided the opportunity for 3000 young Victorians to speak out on issues important to them.

This funding boost ensures that even more young people can add their voice and be part of this strong tradition.

I hope the focus on diversity and supporting young Victorians from all walks of life will encourage more people in the electorate, whatever their backgrounds, to put their hands up and get involved.

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