Latest news with #YWA
West Australian
08-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Aspiring pollie Amelia Glass retains her Vasse seat in Y WA's Youth Parliament
Rosa Brook teenager Amelia Glass will once again represent the region in Y WA's Youth Parliament. The 17-year-old will effectively act as the incumbent for the seat of Vasse during ongoing activities in the program after winning selection for the mock seat for a second time. In the 30th year of the Youth Parliament program, Amelia was among 59 young people chosen for the program which offers those aged between 15 and 25 a taste of life in politics. Amelia has already tested herself in the program which sees participants develop mock legislation to address issues close to their hearts. She told the Times regional issues and especially education for rural students were key to her concerns. 'I'm super interested in regional development,' she said. 'No one should be left behind in this State just because they live away from Perth. 'There is a clear difference in healthcare, education and other vital services, and this needs to be fixed to give regional youth the best chance at success.' Amelia said the program held a lot of appeal because young Western Australians were the future of the State. 'Every decision that is being made right now is directly impacting our lives into the future, and no matter how minor the decision is, it can still have a massive effect,' she told the Times. 'Young people should have a voice, as it is our future that is being impacted right now.' Y WA chief executive Tim McDonald said the Youth Parliament program provided keen young people with critical insight into the workings of government as well as how policies were developed. 'Our intentions are always based around empowerment and giving young people a voice,' Dr McDonald said. 'This program is truly representative of the views and concerns of the State's next generation of community leaders.' Amelia previously developed legislation focused on addressing inequities in regional education by providing incentives to teachers for personal development as well as relocating to regional WA. Ironically, some similar policy considerations have since been floated during the recent State election. Amelia told the Times she ventured back for a second term because as well as her fulfilment, the program was fun. 'It is such a cool program that helps you build a community with other like-minded young people, as well as a platform to help convey youth ideas to the Government and guide policy decisions,' she said. 'You also get a really interesting range of perspectives from people who come from all over.' The program runs across coming months and culminates in official functions at Parliament in early July.
West Australian
06-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Northcliffe candidate to represent Warren-Blackwood electorate in WA's Youth Parliament program
A Northcliffe candidate will represent the Warren-Blackwood electorate for the first time in WA's Youth Parliament program — with the region back on the map after no applications were received last year. Brayden Daniele is among 59 young people selected to take part in the four-month Y WA Youth Parliament program. The 25-year-old said he applied to the program on a 'whim' after seeing the opportunity in an email from his manager. 'By taking part in the Y WA Youth Parliament I hope to grow my knowledge and interest in government but more importantly listen, see and collaborate with peers interested in similar things,' he said. 'I have gaps in my knowledge everywhere but the main ones I can think of is education, youth, housing and taxation.' The program offers insight and experience into the world of Australian politics to create change by standing up in Parliament and having their voices heard about policies that affect the young people of Western Australia. Mr Daniele said for young people to have a voice with the 'ability to speak freely' was to an 'extent the most important thing' there was. 'This opportunity for individuals to get involved with Youth Parliament and by proxy understanding government to a new capacity than before, is from what I can tell an absolutely great endeavour and something well needed,' he said. 'It is a shame most youth never hear about this opportunity or know that it is something offered.' Y WA CEO Tim McDonald said the program, now in its 30th year, aims to empower and give young people a voice to represent the views and concerns of the State's next generation of community leaders. The young leaders have met to discuss the training they will receive, which will include three full-day training workshops as well as online meetings as they draft, debate, and advocate for mock youth-focused legislation. The program will culminate in members attending Parliament House on July 7, 8 and 10 with a live debate in the chamber. Upon completion of the program, all bills are presented to the Government and Opposition, WA Governor, Lord Mayor of Perth, and the WA Department for Communities for review and consideration.
