Formalised debating is a wonderful way to improve public speaking skills, but do you ever wish that you could actually debate for what you believe in? The Youth Parliament of Victoria gives young people the opportunity for their voices to be heard at the highest levels of State government on a wide variety of issues.
Each Youth Parliament Team will conceive a Bill within the remit of Victorian lawmaking, and just as in real Parliament, take it to the top end of Spring Street for debate amongst their peers. If voted through and passed by the members of the House, Bills are given assent by the Youth Governor of Victoria. Bills are then handed to the Government to be considered by the relevant Government Ministers.
In the Victorian Youth Parliament’s 32-year history, more than 30 pieces of State Legislations have originated in the Youth Parliament, including:
- Roadside Drug Testing for Drivers
- Over the Counter Availability of the Morning After Pill
- Mandatory Wearing of a Bicycle Helmet
- Removal of Glass from Identified High-Risk Entertainment Venues
- Gun Reformation Laws
- Reducing the Learners Permit Age to 16
- Access to the Morning After Pill
- Increased De Facto Rights for Same-Sex Couples
The Youth Parliament is unique in its capacity to provide an ongoing and accurate cross-section of youth opinions throughout the state. The Youth Parliamentarians choose and subsequently debate the issues that they have selected. For this reason, the Youth Parliament continues to produce such a potent response from the sitting Government, and generate interest from the Media.