During the school holidays, I had the privilege of representing the Heathcote electorate by speaking at the Legislative Assembly in the New South Wales Parliament House. This marked my second year participating in the NSW Youth Parliament program. This invaluable experience provides high school students, from Years 10 to 12, a unique platform to voice their concerns and provide solutions for pressing issues within their communities.

Participants prepared Bills across a broad spectrum of portfolios, including Aboriginal Affairs, Housing and Homelessness, Justice, and Women’s Affairs. Among these critical issues, I am particularly passionate about addressing gender-based violence. Consequently, I joined the Women’s Affairs Committee and actively contributed to the drafting of a Women’s Empowerment and Safety Bill. Over the past few months, I have engaged in extensive consultations with local communities and sought insights from industry experts during weekly committee meetings.

This program allowed me to step into the role of parliamentarians during the NSW Youth Parliament Sitting Week. I was given the opportunity to present and debate my Bill showcasing innovative ideas and advocating for change. These sessions were chaired by State Members of Parliament, including the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence, Jodie Harrison. This opportunity not only deepened my understanding of the legislative process but also reinforced my commitment to advocating for meaningful change within my community.