Tess Serves as a Youth MP in the State Youth Parliament

Earlier this year, I had the amazing opportunity to serve as a youth MP in our State Youth Parliament, where we worked in committees to write bills about all sorts of important issues that we would get to debate and pass during our week in Parliament. I was on the Women’s Affair’s Committee, which meant we got to propose a piece of legislation on an issue we found important, for which we landed quickly on women’s health and medical discrimination. We wanted to address problems like diagnoses often being based on male physiology and experiences, women’s health services being less accessible, and education neglecting symptomatic and treatment differences, which means across Australia (and the world), women have worse health outcomes across the population. We spent weeks drafting and amending the bill, and ultimately passed it successfully through our parliament. What was particularly special about this program, however, is that it hasn’t only been hypothetical.

While the program itself is a simulation of the government process, it is actually held in the NSW Parliament and chaired by MPs and ministers. Most excitingly, my committee has recently been invited by The Hon Jodie Elizabeth Harrison, the State Minister for Women, to discuss and present our bill for its possible contribution to future legislation. Youth Parliament has been truly beneficial because it gives us, as young representatives, the chance to raise important issues we see around us – we had environmental, mental health, economic, and many more committees who have been similarly focused in their areas. Beyond the experience, this opportunity also let us enter into the real and pressing discussions that are happening in government and contribute to improving – not just noticing – the problems we live with. I would encourage any students, not only those who are already enjoying politics or are experienced debaters, to apply for next year and really get involved with what they’re passionate about.

– Tess Petschner (Year 12)

You can read the full bill Tess contributed to here.

The Y NSW Youth Parliament program is a program for students in Year 10 –Year 12 across the state of New South Wales to come together to learn civics education first-hand, develop advocacy skills, and build their leadership skills, confidence, and strong friendships.

The Y NSW’s Youth Parliament program started in February when Tess was selected as one of 93 Youth MPs, holding the seat for Parramatta.