Youth Parliament
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Youth Parliament 2013 Hansard
The second day of Youth Parliament 2013 was held in the debating chamber and the full Hansard transcript is available for you to download and read.
Proceedings started with Question Time, where Youth MPs asked Ministers questions for oral answer - a real highlight! Following this was the legislative debate and vote on the Mock Electoral Reform Bill. The day finished with the general debate where Youth MPs spoke on an issue important to them.
Select Committee topics
During Youth Parliament, the Youth MPs had the opportunity to review legislation in Select Committees. The topics of the ten Select Committees are outlined in the table below:
|
Select Committee |
Topic |
|
Social Services |
How can public expectations for social services be balanced against likely rising costs for these services |
|
Health |
Are young people taking enough responsibility for reducing and preventing substance abuse or should this be government’s role? Click here for the final Health Committee report |
|
Transport and Industrial Relations |
What are the barriers to young people entering employment across New Zealand workplaces and how can these be addressed? Click here for the final Transport and Industrial Relations Committee report |
|
Local Government and Environment |
Should government restrict or permit private businesses profiting from conservation activities? Click here for the final Local Government and Environment Committee report |
|
Education and Science |
Compulsory vs. elective subjects in secondary schools – should subjects like science be compulsory? Click here for the final Education and Science Committee report |
|
Commerce |
Purchasing online: supporting modern consumerism |
|
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
Where should New Zealand’s international obligations lie – Pacific or wider afield Click here for the final Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee report |
|
Justice |
White collar vs blue collar offending: do current sentences reflect the economic and social impacts of these crimes? |
|
Maori Affairs |
As more iwi move towards a post-settlement environment, how do rangatahi see the role of iwi in supporting the development of the next generation? |
|
Primary Production |
Can New Zealand afford to be free range? Click here for the final Primary Production Committee report |
Mock Bill
The mock Bill topic was the Electoral Reform Bill. The purpose of the Electoral Reform Bill is to modernise the electoral system to increase civic participation and the government’s longer term outlook. This Bill reforms the electoral system in four areas. It:
- reduces the voting age from 18 years to 17 years
- includes electronic voting to the methods of voting
- makes voting compulsory for all eligible voters
- extends the Term of Parliament from three years to four.
List of Youth MPs and Youth Press Gallery members
Young people from around New Zealand were chosen by their local electorate or list MP to be a Youth MP. During Youth Parliament, Youth MPs experienced all parts of Parliament, participating in a legislative debate, asking questions for oral answer to Ministers during question time, reviewing legislation in select committees and got together in caucus sessions.
The Youth Press Gallery was an important aspect of Youth Parliament 2013 as it was a replication of an important part of our democratic process. It was also a unique developmental opportunity for young people who aspire to become journalists. Youth Press Galley members were been selected by the Parliamentary Press Gallery.