IT might be a leap from high school hallways to Spring Street’s corridors of power, but next week six Hoppers Crossing teens will thrash out the big issues in State Parliament.
The students have big corporations in their sights, as they prepare to debate whether the government should enforce compulsory paper recycling.
The Hoppers Crossing Secondary students will join 19 other teams from Victorian high schools for the annual YMCA Youth Parliament from July 2-5.
Each team will choose a political issue to debate.
Organisers say that more than 20 Youth Parliament bills have become law. They include nightclub reforms and making the morning-after pill available over the counter.
Zane van Pletzen, 17, said the team would use statewide figures revealing a slump in recycling as a reason to call for compulsory measures.
He said the suggested legislation would force companies to deal with their paper waste, help protect
the environment and could encourage further change down the line.
“Some young people have something they want to say, and we can talk about something we feel passionate about,” he said.
Youth parliamentarians recently went to a training weekend in Bacchus Marsh, giving them the chance to learn about issues brought forward by other teams. They took part in public speaking and media training and learned about parliamentary etiquette.
Team supervisor Sarah Rose hopes students are inspired to shake up the political landscape.
“What I’m really excited about is the notion of these young people getting involved in public speaking and politics,” she said.
“It’s good to be inspired that you can do things in the public service that are not just about making promises and telling fibs.”
