Victorian Youth Parliament

Bills passed by both houses are given Royal Assent by the Youth Governor and handed to the state Government and Opposition for consideration.[1] Although not a requirement, teams are typically drawn together by a school, local council, or organisation within Victoria. Each team has an allocated Resource Person who coordinates the team application, recruits and supports the team members, and acts as the main point of call should any issues with the team arise. This may be a teacher, staff member, or motivated team member. The resource person does not attend camp (unless they are one of the six team members), but ensures that the team is adequately supported and prepared for camp.[1]

The first YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament was held in the Legislative Council of Parliament House in September 1987 and has been held yearly since then.[2] The program is offered to individuals between 16 and 25 years of age; participants engage in a 9-day residential program, part of which is conducted at Parliament House.[3]

The Youth Parliament, supported by the Victoria government, have seen more than 20 of their bills passed into law, including alcohol, bike and nightclub safety measures.[3]

Angelo von Möller speaking in the 36th Victorian Youth Parliament

At the 2012 session, six Hazara young men were part of the Victoria Youth Parliament and asked the Prime Minister to put pressure on the Pakistani government to stop genocide of Hazra people and brought awareness of the plight of fleeing people, such as those who come to Australia by boat. Wahid Omid Talked said: "all Hazara asylum seekers who comes to Australia and seek protection here are prosecuted by Taliban and other terrorist and extremist groups." Regarding why they don't remain in queues in Indonesia's refugee camps: "the queue is imaginary and does not exist, people have been waiting for up to 10 years in Indonesia to be settled in 3th [sic] country and the applications in UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office is processed randomly not by turn." The group of youth parliamentary participants debated the following day about how to welcome people seeking asylum in Australia.[4]

During the Training Camp, Youth MP's may nominate themselves for leadership positions including Premier, Deputy Premier and Chamber Leaders. A vote of the participant body is then held to determine the leadership team for the respective calendar year by the Victorian Electoral Commission.[1]