Looking down from the visitors’ gallery, Elders saw a dream realised as 40 young people settled into the green leather upholstered seats of Queensland’s Legislative Assembly.
It was Thursday 3 June and the young people had come from all over Queensland as part of the annual Office for Youth initiative, the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program.
For a few hours, they experienced what it could be like to wield political power.
Their time in Parliament — presenting and debating their own legislation — tested their understanding of parliamentary processes and public speaking, primed over six days.
The Indigenous Youth Parliament debated a three-pronged Bill for healthier living: compulsory nutrition education; bans on all tobacco advertising and roadside alcohol ads; and raising the legal drinking age to 21.
Youth delegates were particularly fired up about the drinking age issue.
Stradbroke Island health worker Raymond Wilson, 21, was all for it. He’s seen first-hand the high cost of alcohol abuse. As though fuelling his passion, Raymond was told while at the program of two deaths in his community.
Not everyone agreed that age was the answer. Paramedic Michael Farnham, 24, of Dalby said: “Raising the legal age won’t stop underage drinking; it’ll send it underground, where it can’t be seen or monitored.”
Ultimately the Bill was defeated.
Later, Raymond told Namalata Thusi: “I was born to be there (in Parliament). I was never taught public speaking or debating. I listen to and respect others’ views but I have never been frightened to get up and challenge a view I disagree with. It’s a gift; one I very much hope to use to make a difference in the future.”
Another who found herself right at home in Parliament was youth worker Hannah Taylor, 23, of Eight Mile Plains, a descendent of the Budjari people.
“The program was the best week of my life. I’ve always been interested in politics but this sparked the passion that really had until now been overwhelmed by the impossibility of it ever happening.”
Queensland Parliament is 150 years old.
In that time, only one Aboriginal has been elected: Eric Deeral, the Member for Cook (1974 to 1977).
Queensland Parliament has yet to have a Torres Strait Islander representative.
More information
Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
Office for Youth
yilf@communities.qld.gov.au
Phone 07 3008 8633 or 1300 555 954
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