Key issues for regional youth discussed at forums

More support for youth experiencing barriers and youth hubs to foster connections among young people were some of the priorities outlined by forum participants.

They also made a number of recommendations on ways parliament can better engage with young people in rural and regional areas.

Conducted in partnership with Youthrive Victoria, the State of the Future Youth Forums coincided with the regional sitting of the Legislative Council in Echuca.

A range of MPs from regional and metropolitan areas took part over the two days.

The discussions followed on from a 2023 forum in Melbourne at which young people urged MPs to visit them in their local areas to get a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that regional and rural youth have.

A large contingent of Aboriginal and culturally diverse young people took part and raised ways in which they can get more involved in our state’s democratic and decision-making processes.

Parliament’s first ever regional youth associate Lydia Reiske, who is based in Shepparton, helped to coordinate the forums and was MC at both events.

‘Young people are telling us that they want a seat at the table,’ she said. ‘We’re not just the future, we’re leaders in our own communities today. This is your invitation to work with us as you deliver for the region’s young people.'

Recommendations from the forums will be considered in developing parliament’s ongoing youth engagement initiatives.

Also that week, two young people from Rochester and Echuca, Tara Atley and Cameron Barnes, were invited to address the regional sitting of the Legislative Council in Echuca. Watch videos of their speeches below.