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Young Queenslanders Take Their Community Issues to State Parliament - Brisbane, QLD
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Young people from regional and remote Queensland communities are participating in youth councils and a state youth parliament, raising issues such as disaster preparedness, volunteering, local facilities and community...
Young people from across Queensland are taking part in local government and parliamentary programs to raise issues affecting their communities, including access to public facilities, disaster preparedness and opportunities for volunteering.
On 2 October 2026, young representatives from regional and remote areas gathered in Brisbane as part of Queensland Youth Parliament activities. The program included 93 youth members aged 16 to 25, representing districts across the state. Participants had the opportunity to discuss community concerns, present proposals and experience parliamentary processes.
Among the participants were eight youth councillors from the Blackall-Tambo region in western Queensland, who travelled to Brisbane to visit Parliament House and Government House. The group is involved in a local youth council that meets every two months to discuss ideas and community projects.
Georgia Duncan, a 16-year-old student who serves as youth mayor of the Blackall-Tambo Youth Council, has helped lead an initiative to establish a dog park in Blackall. The facility, known as Bark Park, was developed with support from the regional council after young residents identified a need for a safe, dedicated space where people could exercise their dogs.
The youth council includes students from grades 6 to 11 and provides a platform for young people to contribute to discussions about local priorities. Its members meet in Blackall and Tambo, with support from the council through funding, staff assistance and transport.
The Brisbane visit gave the young representatives an opportunity to learn more about government institutions and how decisions are made. Blackall-Tambo Mayor Andrew Martin said the council supports youth participation as a way of understanding community needs and encouraging young people to contribute to regional life.
Another participant, 19-year-old Ava Haine from Moura, represents the western Queensland electorate of Gregory in YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament. She serves as a youth minister with responsibilities that include disaster resilience and volunteering.
During the youth parliament program, a proposed Disaster Resilience Corps Youth Bill was tabled. The proposal focused on encouraging youth involvement in disaster preparedness and volunteering. Haine said the proposal aimed to draw attention to challenges faced by volunteer organisations, including the cost of living and the need to encourage participation.
The youth parliament is a forum for young people to discuss policy issues and present ideas. Its proposals do not automatically become laws or government policy; they are opportunities for participants to express views and engage with parliamentary processes.
Researcher Philippa Collin from the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University said young people engage with political issues through a range of methods, including digital platforms, community groups and formal advisory programs. She also noted that youth participation is more meaningful when young people believe their contributions are taken seriously.
The programs in Queensland provide opportunities for young people to develop public speaking, leadership, collaboration and civic knowledge while discussing issues relevant to their regions.
YouthYoungPeopleCouncilParliament
Young people from across Queensland are taking part in local government and parliamentary programs to raise issues affecting their communities, including access to public facilities, disaster preparedness and opportunities for volunteering.
On 2 October 2026, young representatives from regional and remote areas gathered in Brisbane as part of Queensland Youth Parliament activities. The program included 93 youth members aged 16 to 25, representing districts across the state. Participants had the opportunity to discuss community concerns, present proposals and experience parliamentary processes.
Among the participants were eight youth councillors from the Blackall-Tambo region in western Queensland, who travelled to Brisbane to visit Parliament House and Government House. The group is involved in a local youth council that meets every two months to discuss ideas and community projects.
Georgia Duncan, a 16-year-old student who serves as youth mayor of the Blackall-Tambo Youth Council, has helped lead an initiative to establish a dog park in Blackall. The facility, known as Bark Park, was developed with support from the regional council after young residents identified a need for a safe, dedicated space where people could exercise their dogs.
The youth council includes students from grades 6 to 11 and provides a platform for young people to contribute to discussions about local priorities. Its members meet in Blackall and Tambo, with support from the council through funding, staff assistance and transport.
The Brisbane visit gave the young representatives an opportunity to learn more about government institutions and how decisions are made. Blackall-Tambo Mayor Andrew Martin said the council supports youth participation as a way of understanding community needs and encouraging young people to contribute to regional life.
Another participant, 19-year-old Ava Haine from Moura, represents the western Queensland electorate of Gregory in YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament. She serves as a youth minister with responsibilities that include disaster resilience and volunteering.
During the youth parliament program, a proposed Disaster Resilience Corps Youth Bill was tabled. The proposal focused on encouraging youth involvement in disaster preparedness and volunteering. Haine said the proposal aimed to draw attention to challenges faced by volunteer organisations, including the cost of living and the need to encourage participation.
The youth parliament is a forum for young people to discuss policy issues and present ideas. Its proposals do not automatically become laws or government policy; they are opportunities for participants to express views and engage with parliamentary processes.
Researcher Philippa Collin from the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University said young people engage with political issues through a range of methods, including digital platforms, community groups and formal advisory programs. She also noted that youth participation is more meaningful when young people believe their contributions are taken seriously.
The programs in Queensland provide opportunities for young people to develop public speaking, leadership, collaboration and civic knowledge while discussing issues relevant to their regions.
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