Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea has played an important role in the Closing Ceremony of this year's YMCA NSW Youth Parliament.
"I was asked by the organisers to represent the NSW Government and accept the bills that came before the Youth Parliament for debate," Mr O'Dea said.
"The Youth Parliamentarians divided into committees representing some of the most important issues facing the state, including Transport, Infrastructure and Planning, Youth Affairs, Education and Training, Health and Medical Research and Ethnic Affairs and Citizenship.
"The committees created bills on important issues within their portfolio which were debated on the floor of the Legislative Assembly and presided over by a Member of Parliament.
"I accepted the bills on behalf of the Government and have forwarded them to the Premier," Mr O'Dea said.
"The students cheered loudly when I told them the essence of a previous Youth Parliament bill on Regional Relocation Grants had now become new Government policy.
"The Youth Parliament provides a venue where the opinions and concerns of young people can be heard by those with the power to make laws," Mr O'Dea said.
"It also gives young people an understanding of the parliamentary system as well as helping to develop their leadership, public speaking and debating skills.
"I am pleased the seat of Davidson was represented by three local participants – Thomas Goldie and Kevin Kim of Knox Grammar School and Corinne Caston-Matthews of Freshwater Senior Campus," he said.
"I would encourage any student interested in applying for the Youth Parliament to contact the YMCA for details.
"It is open to any young person aged 15–18 throughout NSW and is apolitical," Mr O'Dea concluded.
