Broome high school student Lei Yuen to participate in Y WA Youth Parliament for the second year in a row

Broome high school student Lei Yuen is one of 59 youth leaders selected to take part in the Y WA Youth Parliament program where she will have the opportunity to stand up in Parliament and have her voice heard on policies affecting young people in WA. The four-month non-partisan leadership and civic engagement program aims to educate, empower and encourage young people to take an active role in their community by contributing the views and recommendations of changes they want to see at a State level. Throughout the program, participants act as “youth members”, representing a State electorate in Parliament with members attending Parliament House on July 7, 8 and 10 to participate in a live debate in the chamber. Ms Yuen, 17, who is participating in the program for the second time said she was keen to get debating and have her views on health policy heard in the halls of power. “It’s a rewarding program and one where it’s hands-on learning with a great experience to meet like-minded people,” she said. “Something near and dear to me is healthcare in the regions and access to mental healthcare for the vulnerable youth in the regions, which makes me even happier that I am proudly a part of the Health and Mental Health Committee. “I hope to meet some incredible people who’ll drive my passion to learn even more, advocate and shed some much-needed light on how disadvantaged the regions are.” The young leaders will receive three full day training workshops as well as online meetings as they draft, debate, and advocate for mock youth-focused legislation. Y WA chief executive Dr Tim McDonald said the program, now in its 30th year, offers young people an insight into the workings of government and policy development. “Our young people have a lot to say, and this program gives them a chance to speak up and be heard,” he said. “Our intentions are always based around empowerment and giving young people a voice and this program is truly representative of the views and concerns of the State’s next generation of community leaders. “The fact that some of the bills young people have researched, development and written, then debated and passed in their parliamentary sittings, are now legislation across our country is further evidence of why we should be listening to the voices of our youth.” Versions of bills presented by previous participants in the Y WA Youth Parliament program have been passed into law including the Environmental Protection Amendment (Banning Plastic Bags and Other Things) Bill 2018 and the Family Violence Legislation Reform Bill 2024 dealing with coercive control in domestic violence relationships.