Youth Parliament
The next Youth Parliament will be held on 16-17 July 2013.
Youth Parliament is as close as possible to the real thing. It is an opportunity for young New Zealanders to influence government decision-making as active citizens and have their views heard by key decision-makers and the public.
Youth MPs and Youth Press Gallery members for Youth Parliament 2013
Youth Parliament 2013 will see 121 Youth MPs and 20 Youth Press Gallery members converge in Wellington at Parliament for two days on 16 and 17 July to experience New Zealand’s democracy first-hand.
Young people from around New Zealand have been chosen by their local electorate or list MP to be a Youth MP. During Youth Parliament, Youth MPs will experience all parts of Parliament, participate in a legislative debate, ask questions for oral answer to Ministers during question time, review legislation in select committees and come together in caucus sessions.
The Youth Press Gallery is an important aspect of Youth Parliament 2013 as it is a replication of an important part of our democratic process. It is also a unique developmental opportunity for young people who aspire to become journalists. Youth Press Galley members have been selected by the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
What we’ve got planned for 2013
Select Committee topics
During Youth Parliament, the Youth MPs will have the opportunity to review legislation in Select Committees. The topics of the ten Select Committees are outlined in the table below:
|
Select Committee |
Topic |
|
Social Services |
How can public expectations for social services be balanced against likely rising costs for these services? |
|
Health |
Are young people taking enough responsibility for reducing and preventing substance abuse or should this be government’s role? |
|
Transport and Industrial Relations |
What are the barriers to young people entering employment across New Zealand workplaces and how can these be addressed? |
|
Local Government and Environment |
Should government restrict or permit private businesses profiting from conservation activities? |
|
Education and Science |
Compulsory vs. elective subjects in secondary schools – should subjects like science be compulsory? |
|
Commerce |
Purchasing online: supporting modern consumerism |
|
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
Where should New Zealand’s international obligations lie – Pacific or wider afield |
|
Justice |
White collar vs blue collar crimes: do current sentences reflect the economic and social impacts of these crimes? |
|
Maori Affairs |
As more iwi move towards a post-settlement environment, how do rangatahi see the role of iwi in supporting the development of the next generation? |
|
Primary Production |
Can New Zealand afford to be free range? |
Mock Bill
The mock Bill topic has been confirmed as being the Electoral Reform Bill. The purpose of the Electoral Reform Bill is to modernise the electoral system to increase civic participation and the government’s longer term outlook. This Bill reforms the electoral system in four areas. It:
- reduces the voting age from 18 years to 17 years
- includes electronic voting to the methods of voting
- makes voting compulsory for all eligible voters
- extends the Term of Parliament from three years to four.
History of Youth Parliament in New Zealand
Youth Parliament has been held every three to four years since 1994. Youth Parliament was first held to mark the 20th anniversary of the lowering of the voting age to 18 years. The inaugural Youth Parliament was a short event that involved young people coming to Parliament for an education day.
Due to the success of the event, Cabinet invited the Minister of Youth Affairs to hold a Youth Parliament every three years from 1997. This was particularly relevant as it was the first year of a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) government.
After Youth Parliament 1997, the next events were held in 2000, 2004, 2007 and 2010. The 2004 event coincided with the 150th anniversary of the first sitting of Parliament and the 30th anniversary of the lowering of the voting age.
