Aquinas College Menai student, Benjamin Capovilla, has been voted in by his peers to represent Heathcote at this year’s YMCA NSW Youth Parliament.
The annual event, which gets underway on July 16, brings together more than 90 young people from across NSW to debate different issues they are passionate about, such as mental health, reducing greenhouse emissions and technology development.
Benjamin, a year 11 student, is on the education committee and will debate a bill to see more input from students and families into how their school budgets are spent.
All pieces of youth legislation will be presented to NSW members of parliament for consideration.
The successful program has had about six pieces of legislation passed into NSW Law in the past 15 years, including the recent Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.
“Today’s youth are often portrayed as a narcissistic generation with little regard for others and issues facing our society,” Benjamin said.
“However, programs such as Youth Parliament highlight that there are many teenagers ready and willing to make a difference in our community.
“The program has opened up our horizons and empowered us to confidently speak out for those who may not have a voice.”
