YOUTH PARLIAMENT 2023
Beginning March 23 lasting to July 23, I participated as the Youth Member for Campbelltown and member of Women's Affairs for NSW parliament. The Youth Parliament Program inspired me to chase my dreams of becoming a politician in my future and hopefully Minister of Women's Affairs. This program taught me so much and gave me an experience like no other. During this program I had the privilege to learn how to write a PMS (private member statement), a parliamentary debate speech, and I learnt how to address a large crowd which I have found to be extremely helpful in my everyday life. My vocabulary was heavily extended and has helped significantly when writing formal speeches, essays and extended texts.
During my time on both camps, I wrote a bill relating back to women's affairs titled, ‘Mothers in the Workplace Bill’. This bill entailed the growing need to support women in the workplace more than just maternity leave, we listed things such as a more excessive PDHPE syllabus that actually teachers the future generations about motherhood and the rights they are entitled to when being a mother in the workplace; Accessible therapy, both physical and mental and also easy, affordable childcare to every working mother so women are able to exist comfortably whilst also having a child. These are only a few examples of what our bill and clauses included.
I was recently chosen to represent Women's Affairs at the round table meeting with Zoe Robinson (NSW advocate for Children and Young People) and received fabulous feedback from her and her team surrounding our bill.
During the program I've been given a plethora of amazing opportunities, this includes two community service awards, a shout out in NSW parliament by Greg Warren, and Youth Strongest Speaker for Government.
I would recommend this program to anyone who has a passion for parliamentary debate or politics as it holds so much knowledge and experience.
Sophia Britton
Year 10
