Joining the Youth Parliament Program has taught me the importance of being a good listener, not only a good speaker. Because everyone had the chance to share their ideas, and I truly enjoyed supporting and cheering for the voices and values they stood for. Hear, Hear!
The 2025 Youth Parliament brought together 29 Youth Parliamentarians, 3 Youth Press Gallery, 19 Volunteers and Program Staff and numerous supporters. During the Youth Sitting Week, the Youth Parliamentarians debated – and passed – 6 Youth Bills, tabled 2 Petitions and discussed 1 National Motion of Public Importance.
Youth Parliament is a non-partisan advocacy and leadership program run by young people, for young people. Youth Parliament is the Y’s Flagship Youth Program, delivered across Australia, since the first Youth Parliament in Brisbane in 1963. This year marked our third year of the program after an 8 year hiatus, and we are so proud to see the program grow.
The program supports young people to grow their confidence, build connections with other young people, increase their leadership and teamwork capabilities, and increase their knowledge and future participation in civic engagement and democracy. The 2025 Northern Territory Youth Parliament offered the opportunity for young people to represent their local school, council or organisation as a Youth Parliamentarians. Young Territorians worked together to develop a bill or petition on an issue that affects them and their community in the Northern Territory which they will debate over the week of Youth Parliament. When not at Parliament House, Youth Parliamentarians stayed at the Michael Long Leadership Learning Centre and engage in holistic and experiential personal, leadership and community development sessions. The program was facilitated by a team of dedicated volunteers and the Y’s Youth Leadership team.
A huge change for me was sharing my opinions and beliefs publicly whilst being supported and heard from those around me. It was amazing raising awareness on issues special to me and hearing those share theirs. This was something I had never experienced before and am overjoyed from the experience.
We are pleased to share that all Bills passed the 2025 Youth Parliament and all Petitions were successfully tabled.
- Youth Scrutiny Committee Act 2025
- Youth Homelessness and Housing Act 2025
- Young Carers Identification Act 2025
- Criminal Code Amendment (Age of Criminal Responsibility) Act 2025
- Youth Justice Reform Act 2025
- Senior Student Wellbeing Act 2025
- Petition: Access to safe drinking water
- Petition: Tennant Creek Youth Hostel
- National Matter of Public Importance: Women’s Healthcare
Actually realising how powerful my voice is and learning how to speak with conviction, especially when talking about something I am passionate about. I realised that I can push past the nerves of public speaking and control my voice and how people perceive my words. It made me feel powerful and confident, and like I could really push for change using my voice.
Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters
Program Sponsors and Supporters: The Northern Territory Government – Office of Youth Affairs, The Phillips Foundation, Qantas Regional Grants, Co-Ground, and the Airport Development Group, Department of the Legislative Assembly
Participant Sponsors: On the Same Page Consulting, Carers NT, Department of Education and Training, Laurie Zio MLA, Justine Davis MLA, Kat McNamara MLA
Patron: His Honour Professor The Honourable Hugh Heggie PSM
MLAs who chaired sessions or gave speeches during the Youth Sitting Week: The Hon. Robyn Lambley, Speaker of the House, Member for Araluen, Hon. Jinson Charls, Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality, Member for Sanderson, Laurie Zio MLA, Member for Fannie Bay, Matthew Kerle MLA, Member for Blain, Justine Davis MLA, Member for Johnston, Dheran Young MLA, Member for Daly, Kat McNamara MLA, Member for Nightcliff, Hon. Jo Hersey, Minister for Education and Training, Member for Katherine, Oly Carlson MLA, Member for Wanguri, Selena Uibo, Leader of the Opposition, Gerard Maley, Deputy Chief Minister
Our valued volunteers and program staff: Jordy Humphreys, Patrik Ralph, Eloise Atterton, Jesse Rasheed, Lucy McDonald, Demi Villareal-Schlick, Lubna Fatima, Manoj Thapa, Hamani Tanginoa, John Yusuf, Steph Burgess – NTCOSS, Stella Whippy – Stars Foundation, Andrew Teece – Alpurrurulam Community School, Carlee Heise, Tahlia Biggs, Jonathon McDonald, Leesa Bryen, Jules Gabor.
Mentors and experts who consulted with young people: Shahleena Musk, Children’s Commissioner, Jeswynn Yogaratnam, Anti-Discrimination Commissioner,Rekisha Satour and Mary Kerr from Office of Children’s Commissioner, Violet Kenne from NT Shelter, Susanne Meyers and Alannah Ah Toy from Department of Education and Training, Himanshu and Isabella from headspace, Emma Harris from Office of Youth Affairs, Steph Burgess from NTCOSS, Kirsten Wilson from Justice Reform Initiative