Youth Parliament celebrates 30 years of empowering young leaders across the State.
Western Australia's (WA) 2025 Youth Parliament recently concluded with its official sitting at Parliament House where 59 young people stepped into the historic chambers to voice their ideas and help shape future policy.
Organised by The Y (formerly YMCA), this year marks the 30th anniversary of the program, which continues to empower young leaders to engage in the democratic process and advocate for change in their communities.
As part of the 12-month program, participants from across both metropolitan and regional WA take part in three training days leading up to sitting week.
During sitting week, participants debate the draft legislation they developed during the training days, propose Bills, and gain hands-on experience in how laws are made in the State.
This year, eight Bills were debated in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly on a range of issues and policy matters affecting WA. The Bills included topics such as family domestic violence prevention, ensuring minimum standards of healthcare in regional areas of WA, supporting the State's primary producer industry against the impact of climate change, and incentivising consumers to drive safer vehicles on our roads.
Each participant represents a real-life WA electorate and contributes to legislation informed by their lived experiences and the concerns of their peers. The debated Bills and recommendations are then formally presented to the Governor, Premier, and Leader of the Opposition for consideration.
Youth Parliament Coordinator Joshua Peckover said Youth Parliament's impact was strengthened by the support of the WA Government and Parliament House.
"By taking place within Parliament House where real legislation is made, participants get to truly experience the Parliamentary process as they debate some of the most important issues in our community," he said.
"Each year, Youth Parliamentarians work to develop real solutions to policy problems, forge life-long connections, and develop their skills to give back to their communities."
The Y's WA Youth Parliament is one of the longest-running youth advisory programs to the WA Government and gives young people aged 15 to25 first-hand experience of our parliamentary processes.
It also provides the opportunity for personal development, leadership skills, public speaking ability, and lifelong friendships that are forged throughout the experience.
The Department of Communities provides funding to The Y to support Youth Parliament, reflecting the State Government's ongoing investment in civic engagement and youth leadership.
For more information on Youth Parliament and how to get involved, visit the WA Youth Parliament webpage .
To keep up to date with what's happening in the Youth space, sign up to our Young People Connect WA network .
