- The 31st YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament gets underway with a Residential Sitting Week at Parliament House.
- Youth Members representing all 93 electorates in Queensland will debate eight mock Youth Bills.
- Queensland Youth Parliament is the culmination of a six-month program of work on issues the youth members are passionate about and developing an understanding of the parliamentary process.
The Crisafulli Government is proud to support this year's Queensland Youth Parliament, offering young people a unique opportunity to be heard on the issues young people care about and to gain firsthand experience of how parliament works.
Ninety-three young parliamentarians are coming together at Parliament House this week for the 31st Queensland Youth Parliament to debate a series of mock bills and test their political leadership skills.
Youth Members representing all Queensland electorates will discuss and evaluate eight bills during the residential sitting week, which runs from Sunday, 27 September 2026 to Saturday, 3 October 2026.
The issues they will be debating include helping senior school students successfully transition to employment by mandating work experience in senior years; ensuring patients with comparable conditions receive equitable care; and a bill to strengthen the state's disaster preparedness and response.
Previous bills introduced by Queensland Youth Parliament have led to significant law reform in the State including the ban on single-use plastics and protections against revenge porn.
Acting Minister for Youth Andrew Powell, who opened the Youth Parliament this year, said it was important to nurture the next generation of leaders.
"The Youth Members involved in this program are influential voices representing young people in their electorates," Acting Minister Powell said.
"As a result of being involved in QYP they will gain valuable insights into the political process, understand how to create real changes for their communities by proposing law reform on issues they are passionate about.
"Additionally, the bills they will introduce, and debate will serve to inform future policy considerations and may result in lasting legislative changes."
Youth Member from Woodridge Ari Travis said the Queensland Youth Parliament had changed the direction of their life.
"Through Queensland Youth Parliament, I have built my confidence, learned how Parliament works, and found my voice as an advocate for my community," Mr Travis said.
"It has been an incredible privilege to serve the community I love."
YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament Coordinator Grace Campbell said the program was a valuable opportunity for young Queenslanders who want to create positive change.
"Queensland Youth Parliament gives young people from across the state the chance to represent their electorate, debate important issues, and present Youth Bills in Queensland Parliament," Ms Campbell said.
