Regional Voices Take The Floor In Queensland’s Youth Parliament

The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) continues to shape the next generation of leaders, celebrating 30 years of empowering young Queenslanders to speak up, step forward, and create real change across their communities.

Her Excellency Jasmin Peak, the 30th Youth Governor of Queensland, described the program as “a parliament program that focuses on personal development, community engagement and parliamentary education.”

She said, “We’ve been going on for 30 years this year… we had our 30th year celebration in August, which was very exciting. We have 93 young people from all over Queensland who come to our camps, talk about issues that are important to them, debate the bills they write throughout the year, and discuss state and national matters of importance.”

“It’s an amazing program which equips our young people from all across Queensland with the skills in terms of public speaking, connecting them with like-minded individuals, and giving them an opportunity to have their voice heard on issues that matter in their local communities,” Jasmin explained.

Mentor Tenason Stark noted that few programs bring together such a diverse mix of young people.

“There’s not any other program that I can recall where you have 93 people who are all there for one common goal… to advocate for your communities and to create change.”

Throughout the year, Youth Members participate in committees covering areas such as justice, health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, and community services, each drafting their own bill to debate during the residential sitting week in Brisbane.

“It’s so special to be around like-minded people and just feel that your voice can be heard,” said 2025 Youth Member for Mackay, Mikayla Green.

“For some people, this is the first time they’ve ever felt heard, and that’s just a very special feeling.”

The 30th anniversary theme of Legacy reflected the program’s impact over three decades.

“We had people coming from the very first Youth Parliament up until our most recent,” Jasmin said.

“It was amazing to see the growth and the level of connection that everyone still has even 30 years on.”

This year, Jasmin and the QYP executive team have embarked on a Regional Engagement Road trip, visiting regional areas from the Sunshine Coast to Townsville, including Mackay, to deliver civic education programs and connect with local youth.

“As someone from regional Queensland myself, I knew that just hitting the hot spots wasn’t really a regional road trip,” Jasmin said.

“We decided to drive and actually reach more of those regional areas, because civic education can sometimes lack in schools, especially in rural regions.”

Mikayla said the program has given her both confidence and purpose.

“I’ve learnt who I am as a leader and how to advocate for myself and my community,” she said.

“Mackay’s issues are real issues, and Queensland Youth Parliament gave me the skills and confidence to have my voice heard.”

Tenason added, “It’s very important that we have young voices in regional areas heard, and programs like Queensland Youth Parliament allow this. You don’t even have to want to go into politics… it’s for everyone.”

Applications for the 2026 Queensland Youth Parliament open in January, inviting young people aged 15 to 25 from all electorates to represent their communities, learn by doing, and help build Queensland’s future.

Her Excellency Jasmin Peak, Mentor Tenason Stark, and Youth Member for Mackay, Mikayla Green, met in Mackay during the Queensland Youth Parliament’s regional engagement road trip. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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