Get Involved In Youth Parliament
The Western Australian Youth Parliament Program is a great program for young people who are active within their community and passionate about issues which affect young people. The program caters for all young people between the ages of 15 and 25 inclusive. This includes people who study (at high school, university, TAFE or other institutions), work, or partake in other activities.
Knowledge of politics or parliamentary procedures isn't necessary if you want to participate in Youth Parliament. The program will teach participants anything they need to know, so the only prerequisite is an interest in or opinion about youth issues and representation.
Our website contains an Extranet for participants which makes communication with other Youth MPs simple and easy. This means that we are able to run the program across vast distances, so participants from outside the metropolitan area are encouraged to apply - distance is no barrier!
Youth Parliament can also accommodate teams of participants who have a common interest or background. For example, in the past we have had teams from particular regional areas (including Kalgoorlie and Broome), and particular interest groups (such as law student groups and political parties). If you are interested in sending a whole team to the program please contact Joshua Cahill.
The 2014 Member for Colllie-Preston, Sebastian Schiano Di Cola in Parliament
Youth Parliament aims to help young people to develop their personal skills, and as such there are a range of roles available within the program.
- Committee Members work together to research, draft and debate youth legislation
- Ministers and Shadow Ministers educate others about their committees' youth legislation and advocate their legislation in Parliament by presenting longer speeches
- Youth Leaders such as the Youth Premier, Leader of the Opposition and their Deputies represent their side (Government or Opposition) and act as figureheads, as well as running Government or Opposition 'caucus' meetings.
For participants who have completed the program before and seek a greater organisational and/or mentoring role, positions on Taskforce are available. More information about being on Taskforce can be found on the Taskforce page.
Applications for these roles are completed online, and can be found through links on the homepage.