Tasmanian Youth Parliament

The Tasmanian Youth Parliament (YP) has been held annually for more than 20 years, drawing together politically minded young Tasmanians. The program is organised by the Tasmanian Youth Government Association and YMCA Australia, with significant support from the Tasmanian Government through the Office of Children and Youth Affairs.

The program aims to promote and foster an interest in the Tasmanian parliamentary system and provides an opportunity for senior secondary students to voice their opinions and concerns on issues important to youth.

YP aims not only to give young Tasmanians a voice, but also an opportunity to enjoy themselves with more than 60 other like-minded people of their own age. Youth Parliamentarians form groups of four (usually in school groups) and formulate bills for debate in the House of Assembly Chambers in Parliament House in Hobart. During camp, the participants debate, amend and (in many cases) pass these bills into Acts. Successful Youth Acts, along with the wide-ranging Youth Motion, are then presented to the Premier of Tasmania to be forwarded to appropriate government departments. The first Tasmanian Youth Parliament was held in 1988, since then many young Tasmanians have had the opportunity to express their views and opinions on issues of state importance.