A group of Victorian Youth Parliament participants met with one of their local MPs last week to discuss water safety issues.
Georgia Neicho, 17, and 23 year olds Hayden Digby and Taia Hayter met with member for Bellarine Alison Marchant last Wednesday at the new Nest Youth Hub in Geelong’s CBD.
During the session the trio and Ms Marchant discussed the bill they are preparing for debate at Parliament House in July, which will focus on water safety.
The annual state Youth Parliament program teaches young people about how Victoria’s law-making system works, providing participants with the opportunity to prepare, debate and potentially pass bills that may eventually become law.
Over the program’s 40 year history more than 60 pieces of Victorian legislation have been developed from successful Youth Parliament bills, including laws about roadside drug testing, over the counter availability of the morning after pill, mandatory bicycle helmets and gun reform.
This will be the second year the City of Greater Geelong has entered a team in the program, and the first time it has partnered with Y Geelong to do so.
Youth Parliament participant Ms Hayter said the team was “really hoping this bill opens up more conversations in swim safety that aren’t talked about as much”.
“We tried really hard to create topics that haven’t been discussed as much to make water safer for everyone,” she said.
Ms Marchant said the program was a “valuable opportunity for young Victorians to have their voices heard, grow as leaders, and drive real change”.
“I look forward to seeing them take the floor in Parliament and advocate for the issues that matter most to their communities,” she said.
