“It was really special because if you are not an MP you
don’t get to go in,” the Waterloo
resident said. “We had the privilege to go in and stand up and talk where most
MPs stand and talk.”
Sonia was one of 75 youths participating in the seventh
annual NSW Youth Parliament Week.
Students aged 15-18 years were given exclusive access to the
chambers for two days to debate and pass bills on broad topics such as regional
development, juvenile justice and health.
Elected as one of two representatives from Minister
Keneally’s Heffron electorate and her JJ Cahill Memorial high school, Sonia was
a member of the education team. “We passed our bill. I was really excited about
that. It was about minimum standards for public schools around the state.”
In her final year of high school, Sonia said the experience
had not altered her dreams for the future. “It has been my dream to be a lawyer
since I could read and write,” the 17-year-old said. “I wanted the experience
of what it would be like in politics, and it was great because it was really
political.”
YMCA youth parliament coordinator Jess Harris said of the 10
bills debated by the students, seven were passed and presented to Labor MP Phil
Koperberg, and the Shadow Minister for Youth Mike Baird.
Minister for Juvenile Justice Barbara Perry was also on hand
to the address the enthusiastic students and divest some wisdom.
Photo: Ali Blogg – Sonia Zhou
Source:
South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au