Indigenous MPs in the making

Some of Queensland’s best and brightest young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have come together in the Queensland Parliament today for a six-day leadership program.

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said 40 youths aged 18 to 25 were participating in the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) in Brisbane.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these young people to participate in leadership and professional development workshops,” Mr Pitt said.

“They will be given access to mentoring and networking opportunities by meeting with Elders and respected Indigenous community leaders as well as members of Parliament and senior Government representatives.

“The group will experience the role of a member of Parliament for a day with a mock legislative experience called the Eric Deeral Indigenous Youth Parliament.

“They will have the chance to put their passion and leadership skills into practice by debating a mock Bill and also getting to raise issues important to them directly with elected Members of Parliament.”

The week-long event will bring together successful applicants from communities as far apart as Yorke Island in the Torres Strait, Mornington Island in the Gulf and other communities including Doomadgee and Woorabinda.

Minister for Youth, Ms Shannon Fentiman said the Youth Parliament enabled young Indigenous people to get a taste of decision-making by today’s leaders.

“It is a wonderful way to give the participants a first-hand experience of Queensland’s democratic processes,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The QIYLP is now in its 12^th year and has assisted more than 350 Indigenous young people to develop their leadership skills.”

The program is a major initiative of the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Strategy and is delivered by the Queensland Government in partnership with Queensland Parliament and Glencore Coal.

Glencore’s Community Relations Manager Craig Strudwick said Glencore’s involvement in the QIYLP aligned with their focus on supporting leadership development and building capacity in the Indigenous communities in which they operate.

"Our coal, copper and zinc businesses are partnering in this initiative and we are proud to have been able to support these young people with their community leadership, civic life and parliamentary aspirations," Mr Strudwick said.

Participants will attend the program from 18 June 2016 until 23 June 2016. 

For more information on the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program visit:

http://www.qld.gov.au/atsi/education-training/indigenous-youth-leadership-program/

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