Youth Vote Returns In Second Mackay Election

Thousands of young people will get a taste of democracy when they head back to the ballot box this week for the Mackay Youth Council election, building on the success of last year’s inaugural election.
Voters will head to local high schools and community spaces to elect 12 representatives from 21 candidates to the second Mackay Youth Council.
Young people aged 11-17 (inclusive) are eligible to vote for the candidates running in the region they live or spend the most time in. Voting will be optional preferential, mirroring state and federal elections to provide a comprehensive voting experience for young voters.
This is the second election for the Mackay Youth Council, which was voted in in last year’s inaugural election. That election saw over 1400 young people vote across the region for their initial crop of Youth Councillors, as the first region in the Young Mayors Program, a pilot program being delivered by the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) in partnership with Local Councils in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
The pilot has seen over 7000 young people participate in democratic elections in its first year. The pilot program aims to get young people more involved in civic life and local decision-making.
Mackay’s inaugural Youth Council identified youth mental health as a priority and organised a series of free youth mental health first aid workshops for the community. They also explored creating more “third spaces” for young people in the community, including working with the Mackay Regional Council Library network to increase youth engagement of their services.
Mayor Greg Williamson said council had been proud to see what was achieved by the first group of Youth Councillors.
“Council is excited to see what this next term in office holds,” Mayor Williamson said.
“At the ‘Meet the Candidates’ event this month, we heard directly from candidates who had a range of tremendous ideas and policies that could ensure the Mackay region continues to support and retain young people,” he said.
“It’s fantastic that the young people of Mackay have a platform for actively engaging with and helping to solve issues that are affecting their communities.”
Candidates have had access to free media training, workshops on being an elected representative and campaigning workshops, marketing tutorials and campaign materials and more.
The program will back young people to learn about and participate in the systems that govern their lives, and influence decisions that impact their community.
FYA’s Executive Director of Young Mayors, Tahlia Azaria, said a youth council ensures local government decisions reflect the desires of young people.
“Local governments play a huge role in the everyday lives of people in our communities, and that includes young people. But young people are often locked out of power – consulted but never in charge,” she said.
“This program puts young people in the driver’s seat - ensuring that council policies and programs better reflect the concerns, needs and desires of local young people.”
The Young Mayors pilot program has been designed by FYA and is based on successful UK models.
For more information about the Young Mayors program, visit: https://www.fya.org.au/program/young-mayors/

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