page_title: YMCA NSW Youth Parliament
section_title: Taskforce
hierarchical_section_title: YMCA NSW Youth Parliament / Taskforce
caption_attribution_description: English: A photo taken during the 2019 YMCA NSW Youth Parliament with a backbench MP speaking
context_page_description: The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament is an apolitical YMCA Youth Parliament program coordinated by the YMCA NSW, and acts as a platform for youth advocacy for 15- to 18-year-olds. Participants spend time in committees developing bills and reports and then attend a week-long camp during which the legislation, reports and other motions are debated in the NSW Parliament. Bills passed by both houses are given Royal Assent by the Youth governor and handed to the state Government and Opposition for consideration.
context_section_description: The program is facilitated by a volunteer task force of past participants. The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament is the only Youth Parliament across Australia that does not receive funding from the State Government. YMCA funding and a dedicated volunteer taskforce continue to run Youth Parliament. The YMCA NSW Youth Parliament also offers the Press Gallery program. This is an internship program for eligible students facilitating experience in journalism, advocacy, public relations and political reporting as part of the Youth & Government suite of programs.
caption: Hon. Ben Woodland MP, 2019 Member for Maitland and Minister for Employment & Business speaks during open-floor debate as others watch on
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