A collective of students from remote areas is engaging with local governance by serving on their youth council. Concurrently, 93 youth representatives from various regions in Queensland have voiced concerns about issues pertinent to their communities in the state parliament.
Research indicates that young people are exploring a broader spectrum of political involvement. Although not every teenager is captivated by agendas, meetings, legislative proposals, or speeches, a cohort of students from western Queensland is proactively influencing politics even before they reach voting age.
This week, eight youth councillors have made the journey from their distant region to Brisbane to advocate for their communities as part of the Queensland Youth Parliament.
Georgia Duncan, a 16-year-old and second-year member of the Blackall-Tambo Youth Council, has been appointed as youth mayor by her peers. Under her guidance, the council has realized its goal of establishing a new dog park in Blackall, named Bark Park, which was unveiled in the town.
“We’ve all observed that there are no spaces for dogs to run off-leash, and a lot of tourists bring their dogs,” Georgia remarked.
The youth councillors, ranging from grades 6 to 11, are dedicated to serving their region, which is located 10 hours west of Brisbane. “We hold meetings bi-monthly to discuss new ideas we want to see implemented in our town,” shared the Blackall State High School student.
This week, the youth council visited Brisbane’s Parliament House and Government House, an experience that Georgia believes will spark new initiatives for Blackall-Tambo.
Blackall-Tambo Mayor Andrew Martin emphasized the significance of the youth council as a channel for community feedback. He noted that the local council supports these young leaders through funding, as well as providing staff and transportation for meetings that rotate between Blackall and Tambo.
“What they will gain wherever they go is a broader perspective on life, making them valuable assets in whatever community they eventually reside,” he stated.
Ava Haine, a 19-year-old from Moura, is also making her voice count as one of the 93 members of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, which comprises individuals aged 16 to 25. Representing the western Queensland electorate of Gregory, Ms. Haine highlighted her heritage of strong female farmers.
“It is crucial for me to represent their role as farmers, beyond just being wives,” she expressed.
As a youth minister overseeing various portfolios, including disaster management and volunteering, Ms. Haine is optimistic that the Disaster Resilience Corps Youth Bill, presented in the youth parliament this week, will capture the attention of state lawmakers.
“Volunteering in Queensland has decreased by 20 percent, necessitating a way to incentivize volunteers, especially given the rising cost of living,” she explained.
Ms. Haine drew inspiration from Queensland’s youngest state MP, Ariana Doolan, who was elected to the seat of Pumicestone at the age of 22 in 2024. “Her achievement provides hope that I don’t have to wait until I’m older to get involved or gain more experience,” she added.
Philippa Collin, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney, noted that today’s youth are acutely aware of their surroundings and eager to participate. “Young people are very interested in being engaged, voicing their opinions, and influencing issues,” Professor Collin stated. “They are quite open to various forms of participation.”
She observed a decline in interest in traditional political structures among young people, who are increasingly engaged with issues via digital and social media platforms. “We have never seen a generation that is so rich in information, as educated, and equipped with tools to access and create information and networks,” she remarked.
Professor Collin pointed out that while youth engagement programs and advisory councils have increased over the past 15 years, it remains essential for participants to feel genuinely heard. “Young people are sensitive to whether their voices are respected and whether their involvement is meaningful or merely symbolic,” she concluded.
