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Premier Baird Opens YMCA Youth Parliament

145 young people from across NSW took part in the 13th annual YMCA NSW Youth Parliament. Over four days, the Youth MPs debated 12 bills in the Legislative Assembly and discussed issues like mandatory sentencing, disability healthcare reform, and high-speed rail. Premier Mike Baird and opposition leader John Robertson opened the event and encouraged the young people to make their voices heard. The Youth Parliament program allows young people to gain experience in policymaking and parliamentary procedure in a non-partisan environment.

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7 views2 pages

Premier Baird Opens YMCA Youth Parliament

145 young people from across NSW took part in the 13th annual YMCA NSW Youth Parliament. Over four days, the Youth MPs debated 12 bills in the Legislative Assembly and discussed issues like mandatory sentencing, disability healthcare reform, and high-speed rail. Premier Mike Baird and opposition leader John Robertson opened the event and encouraged the young people to make their voices heard. The Youth Parliament program allows young people to gain experience in policymaking and parliamentary procedure in a non-partisan environment.

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Media Release

For Immediate Release


Premier Baird inspires Youth MPs as Parliament
opens

7 July 2014: Theyre not old enough to vote yet but this week 145 young people from
across NSW will be taking over Parliament House for the 13
th
annual YMCA NSW Youth
Parliament.
The program kicked-off this morning with an opening ceremony attended by The Premier
Mike Baird MP, Opposition Leader J ohn Robertson MP, the Hon. Thomas George MP and
Greg Aplin MP attended the opening ceremony, along with YMCA NSW President Marg
Lennon, and CEO Stephen Bendle.
The four-day sitting week will see 12 bills debated in the Legislative Assembly and eight
reports presented in the Legislative Council discussing issues such as mandatory
sentencing, disability health care reform and the need for high-speed rail.
Youth Governor Brydan Toner encouraged the Youth MPs to embrace all the
opportunities the program offers.
The fact that 140 young people, many of whom cannot even vote yet, can come into the
nation's oldest parliament and have their voices heard is nothing less than remarkable, he
said.
We will see innovative and creative solutions to problems put forward that exist across
our State. I strongly believe that one of the best things about this program is that it is
apolitical, drawing a multitude of differing perspectives and ideas into a single arena.

The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament is a program that focuses on policy, not politics, and it
is truly an honour to be a part of it and none of this would be possible without the support
of the NSW Parliament and YMCA NSW.

Premier Baird also congratulated members on their participation in the program.

When I was your age I was more interested in surfing and girls, so I commend you for
responding to the call for leadership, he said.

This year the program attracted over 300 applications from across NSW.

Over the past thirteen years more than half a dozen pieces of Youth Legislation passed by
the Young people of NSW have been passed into NSW Law.
The public is welcome to see the program in action all Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday of this week. For more information click here or follow via Twitter, Facebook and
Youtube.

-ENDS-


Media Release
For Immediate Release
Media contact:
Robert Barrie
Media and Public Relations Manager
YMCA NSW Youth Parliament
P: 0439605736
E: [Link]@[Link]


About the YMCA:
The YMCA is a vibrant, self-funding, not-for-profit charity delivering contemporary
programs focused on family, healthy living, developing young people and those less
fortunate. The Y's ability to positively impact people's lives, strengthen communities and
respond proactively to many of today's biggest social challenges is significant, with its
diverse programs and services delivered to over 40 communities across NSW in more
than 110 locations, generating in excess of four million visits per year.

About the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament:
The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament gives young people a voice in the running of NSW.
The apolitical program, as all programs within the broader YMCA Youth and Government
division, aims to promote youth-led advocacy, active community leadership and legal and
parliamentary education.
Facebook: [Link]
Twitter: [Link]
Youtube: [Link]
Website: [Link]
parliament

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