By Timothy Cox.

The first adjournment debate in the Legislative Council at this year’s YMCA Youth Parliament program has concluded.

Participants expressed their views on a broad range of subjects about which they hope to raise public awareness.

Shems Alberfkany blamed Melbourne’s traffic congestion on “circuitous, pointless routes”.

“There’s no reason why we cannot strive to provide a viable and attractive alternative to driving,” she said.

“We may be the world’s most livable city, but we certainly have room for improvement”.

Other topics raised were high incarceration rates and deaths of Indigenous youths, the inconsistency and lack of buses in rural and regional Victoria, the need for deaf awareness education, the lack of para-sport coverage, and racism towards African-Australians.

Another adjournment debate will conclude the first sitting day of the 2018 YMCA Youth Parliament.

Photos to come.