Electoral role in the making

SCHOOLS and councils across Victoria have been busy selecting teams to take part in the Victorian Youth Parliament.
Six students from Kyambra College, Berwick, will represent this area when the youth parliament sits during the school holidays.
For most students, the experience will probably be just that, an experience that should help them along with their general studies and leadership skills.
But, I see just a few in their ranks who are fired up and eager about the opportunity they have with an eye on bigger things.
They enter the youth parliament on an apolitical basis and this is great because they can debate and vote on issues without the constraints of party politics.
The youth parliament is significant because it does have influence and the Government’s legislative process takes on board decisions the young people make.
One of note was the introduction of crash helmets.
The young people get to sit on the parliament benches and to debate issues of importance to them.
However, one of the major plusses for this organisation is the pathway and training it provides for young people who really aspire to become members of a government.
The Victorian Council of YMCAs in conjunction with the State Government’s Office runs the YMCA Youth Parliament Program.
The City of Casey has also given enormous support to the Kyambra College effort.
Kyambra will debate urban cat restrictions.