Day Three: What’s Happening

Day four of YMCA NSW Youth Parliament for 2011 is shaping up to be an interesting one with an array of contentious issues up for debate.

The first Bill of the day is the Commercialising Surrogacy Bill 2011, which aims to encourage acceptance of surrogacy in NSW, allowing parents to undergo the arrangement in a regulated environment, with the hope of preventing exploitation. This Bill will be presided over by Hon. Sophie Cotsis MLC.

The Bill will implement a qualified, court-approved gestational agreement, which will secure the rights of all involved.

Another Bill that is set to get tongues wagging is the CityRail Reform Bill 2011, to be presided by Mr. Thomas George MP. This Bill, presented by the Transport, Infrastructure and Planning Committee, proposes innovative solutions to problems facing the rail system, such as changing the layout of carriages to maximize carrying capacity. It also aims to provide a comprehensive overhaul of existing and new train services, with a focus on intermodaility and passenger comfort, as well as establishing an independent body to oversee changes of CityRail’s management.

The topic for Matters of Public Importance today will be the legalization of euthanasia, which is sure to spark emotion in the Chamber. The Speaker for this session will be Mr. Chris Patterson MP.

Following lunch the Justice, Emergency Services and Police Committee will debate the Emergency Services Restructuring (Coordination) Bill 2011, to be presided by Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC. This Bill addresses the issue of greater coordination, cooperation and communication between all levels and agencies involved with emergency services management through reform.

The Bill will also aim to extend emergency evacuation powers to suitably qualified officers, which will allow for greater efficiency and staffing in evacuation operations, along with enhanced communication between agencies.

The Ethnic Affairs and Citizenship Committee will then take to the floor to debate the Mandatory English Lessons Bill 2011. The Bill aims to provide immigrants an opportunity to learn the English language, in the hope it will create pathways to employment and lessen isolation between English and non-English speakers. The Speaker for this session will be Mr. John Barilaro MP.

Emma Dunn

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Press Gallery

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament 2011 Opening Ceremony

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir yesterday officially opened the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament for 2011.

In a ceremony attended by State members of Parliament, YMCA Board and Executive representatives, YMPs and their families, Her Excellency urged participants to appreciate the opportunities and experiences Youth Parliament will offer them.

“You can be important opinion leaders, even now, so early in your lives,” she said.

“It’s anticipated that the comments and ideas received from this week will be extensive and the opinions of you, our young people, will be taken into account during the development of legislation.”

This year’s Youth Governor, Charles Witherden-Costigan, addressed the YMPs, encouraging them to make the most of their Youth Parliament experience and the networking opportunities it can offer.

The Hon. Robyn Parker, Minister for Environment and Minister for Heritage, described Youth Parliament as more than just a chance to learn about the State political system.

“Youth Parliament teaches you how to lead, how to think and how to work and interact with your peers, which are skills that will benefit you throughout your lives,” she said.

Other MPs who attended the ceremony include Hon. Dominic Perrotet, Hon. Matt Kean, Hon. Melanie Gibbons, Hon. Mark Coure, Hon. Andrew Rohan, Hon. Charles Casuscelli, Hon. Jai Rowell and Hon. Robyn Parker.

Emma Dunn
YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Press Gallery

YPTV Officially Launched!

The Media Portfolio of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament 2011 is happy to launch YPTV: the official channel of the 2011 Youth Parliament. Watch the inaugural video below.

 

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Welcome Treasurer Mike Baird and Shadow Treasurer Mike Daley to the Chamber!

Special guests, the Honourable Mike Baird and the Honourable Michael Daley addressed Youth Parliamentarians about their experiences as members of Parliament today. The Honourable Mike Baird, Treasurer of NSW and Member for Manly reflected on his motives behind being involved in politics. He identified politics as the best way he could contribute to the community. He urged Youth Parliamentarians as future leaders to look after those in front of them, and then “the long-term vision will look after itself.” Further, he advised: “A leader that values every person in front of them can change the world” and encouraged them to be that person.

The Honourable Michael Daley, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Finance and Services and member for Maroubra then pressed a similar message. What brings him to politics is “making a difference.” He emphasised the politician’s primary role as a representative of all those in their electorate and giving voice to the weakest in the community. Furthermore, he advised Youth Parliamentarians to do the thing they fear most, “jump off the cliff into darkness” and find their rightful path as a future leader of our society.

Joanne Tran
YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Press Gallery

Youth Members of Parliament Arrive at NSW Parliament House

YMCA NSW Youth Parliamentarians have graced the halls of NSW Parliament for the first time this year. Their weeklong session of debate kick started with a tour around Parliament House.

During this tour, they were shown the Parliamentary Chambers in which they will be engaging in rigorous debate over the next week. They were also shown the majestic Jubilee Room, where they will be spending the majority of their time in between parliamentary sessions.

Youth Parliamentarians are currently partaking in a Practice Question Time session and will debate a Practice Bill, titled the Mandatory Photovoltaic Systems Bill 2010.

Following an address by special guests the Honourable Mike Baird and the Honourable Michael Daley, Her Excellency Marie Bashir, Governor of NSW, will declare the commencement of proceedings for the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament 2011 at the Opening Ceremony.

The Galleries of the Legislative Assembly are open to the public for the coming week. For more information contact Vivek Bhatt on 0426 835 819 or program coordinator, Annie Lam, on 0410 053 982.

Joanne Tran
Youth Parliament Press Gallery 2011  

Youth Members of Parliament Elect 2011 Leaders!

The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament 2011 Residential Camp is well and truly in action, with Youth Members of Parliament electing Deputy Leaders, Managers of Business and Party Whips earlier this afternoon. Youth Premier and Youth Opposition Leader, Eloise Griffin (Youth Member for Manly) and Istiak Ahmed (Youth Member for Macquarie Fields) respectively, are delighted to be joined by the remainder of the Leadership Team, listed below:

Deputy Premier – Daniel McNamara (Youth Member for Keira)

Deputy Opposition Leader – Blake Osmond (Youth Member for Wollongong)

Leader of the House – Tom Baker (Youth Member for Kuringgai)

Manager of Opposition Business – Matthew Oreshkin (Youth Member for Castle Hill)

Government Whip – Emily Lecky (Youth Member for Pittwater)

Opposition Whip – Heath Sloane (Youth Member for Parramatta)

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Leadership Coordinator Emma Greenland stated, “The elections were very tight as always, with many quality candidates running. I think the parties have chosen very wisely. It’s going to be a brilliant week.”

The Youth Members of Parliament will congregate in the chambers of the Legislative Assembly at the NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, commencing tomorrow. Bill sessions are open to the public on the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th of July. Contact Annie Lam on 0410 053 982 for more details.

YMCA NSW Youth Parliament to Convene for 10th Anniversary!

29.06.2011

The countdown is on. With only four days until the 2011 YMCA NSW Youth Parliament is  declared open, preparations for the program’s tenth year are well and truly underway. On the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th of July, 2011, 89 Youth Members of Parliament from 64 electorates across New South Wales will partake in the climax of what has become one of the state’s most prestigious and broadly recognised youth leadership programs.

Having elected their YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Youth Premier and Youth Opposition Leader, Eloise Griffin (Youth Member for Manly) and Istiak Ahmed (Youth Member for Macquarie Fields) respectively, the Youth Members of Parliament are ready to present and argue their Bills within the chamber of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Macquarie Street, Sydney. Program coordinator Joel Clark said, ‘All Bills are of an exceptional standard. The issues they address will make for fruitful debate.’ Divided into committees based upon their passions, Youth Members of Parliament have been developing their Bills since the program’s Training Camp, held at the YMCA of Sydney operated Sydney Olympic Park Lodge in April, 2011. This year’s Bills address issues relating to:

• Aboriginal Affairs – Indigenous Representation in Parliament Bill
• Community Services and Housing – Mandatory Safe Havens Bill
•  Education and Training – Structural Separations Bill
• Ethnic Affairs and Citizenship – Mandatory English Lessons Bill
• Environment, Climate Change and Water – Sustainable Bottled Water Bill
• Health and Medical Research – Opt-Out Organ Donor and Tissue Donation Bill
• Justice, Emergency Services and Police – Emergency Services Restructuring (Co ordination) Bill
• Transport, Infrastructure and Planning – CityRail Reform Bill
• Women’s Affairs – Commercialising Surrogacy in NSW Bill
• Youth Affairs – Same-Sex Discrimination in Schools Bill

Apolitical and nonpartisan in its nature, the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament offers the state’s aspiring leaders the opportunity to voice their concerns, discuss issues about which they are passionate, develop their skills in leadership and gain an insight into parliamentary and legislative procedures. This year’s Youth Members of Parliament will be graced with the presence of some of New South Wales’ most esteemed leaders and dignitaries. The support of these figures is a symbol of the continuing prosperity of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, and will form an integral part of this invaluable experience for the program’s participants.

The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament is a program founded upon core values of integrity and community. It is run by a taskforce of enthusiastic volunteers, facilitated by the YMCA of NSW and supported by the NSW Parliament House. It remains a not-for-profit program, those contributing to it solely dedicated to empowering, educating and unveiling the talents of tomorrow’s leaders; the youth of today.

We invite the public to join us and see the Youth Parliament in action in the Legislative Assembly of NSW Parliament House on the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th of July.

Vivek Bhatt, Media Officer
YMCA NSW Youth Parliament 2011