INVERELL High School student Hannah Worsley experienced life as an MP last week as she made herself at home in Sydney’s Macquarie Street for the 2014 YMCA Youth Parliament.
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Hannah, year 11, was joined by Northern Tablelands fellow student Joanna Lusty from Tenterfield High School.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was on hand to meet the two young women during the final day of the Youth Parliament last Friday.
The first Youth Parliament alumnus to be elected to the NSW Parliament, Mr Marshall chaired debate on two bills in the Legislative Council and addressed members about the life of an MP and how to get involved in leadership roles in the local community.
Hannah spent her week as an MLC in the state’s upper house.
It was Hannah’s second year as a Youth Parliamentarian.
“I was proud to meet Hannah and Joanna again and watch them make some very considered, passionate and mature contributions to the debates in both houses – they were outstanding advocates for country NSW,” Mr Marshall said.
“It was a real pleasure to attend the last sitting day of the youth parliament and see our Northern Tablelands representatives and their peers debating important issues such as renewable energy initiatives and disability employment support with great gusto in the ‘bear pit’. They certainly did us proud.”
Hannah said she thoroughly enjoyed the week in Macquarie Street and the entire Youth Parliament experience.
“It’s been a huge thrill to come back for my second year and meet so many other young people who are passionate about their area and local issues – and it was amazing to sit in the Parliament and debate legislation and community issues, just like the ‘real’ MPs,” Hannah said.
“It’s also given me a good insight into the life of an MP and the important decisions people like Mr Marshall has to make every day.”
All participants in the Youth Parliament were selected from across the state last year and are aged between 15 and 18.
The group is facilitated by a team of workers all aged under 25 and the Youth Parliament experience included conferences and workshops in the months leading up the Parliamentary session.
“This is a terrific initiative and I encourage any young people interested in youth leadership and governance to consider applying for the 2015 Youth Parliament,” Mr Marshall said.
