These Tarneit Senior College students will get a taste of parliamentary life next month when they try to get their bill to become law.
The year 12 students will spend the first week of their term two school holidays taking part in this year’s YMCA Youth Parliament.
They are among 20 teams from across the state who will spend three days debating proposed legislation and taking part in a range of leadership activities.
School captain Raiane Oliveira said the team would put forward a bill to mandate the introduction of rooftop gardens on government buildings across Melbourne’s CBD.
Student leader Khaled Kenjo said countries such as Singapore, Japan, China and Paris had adopted similar measures.
“We see the bill as one of the founding stones in addressing climate change, but it also goes to show that people of our generation are willing to address, are willing to understand, and are willing to try their absolute best to reverse this current generation’s decisions.
“It just looks beautiful. Imagine walking into the city and seeing green roofs, green walls, being able to go up to a terrace and enjoy some coffee and vitamin D.”
The students met Lalor MP Joanne Ryan, Tarneit MP Telmo Languiller and Wyndham councillor Heather Marcus to discuss their bill, and also hope to meet other politicians.
More than 25 Youth Parliament bills have gone on to become actual legislation, including drug-testing for drivers and over-the-counter availability of the morning-after pill.
Raiane said the students were all passionate about law, politics and the environment, adding that the experience has helped them all to determine where they’d like their careers to go once they graduate.
