What happened at Youth Parliament 2022
New Zealand’s tenth Youth Parliament has ended, with the representatives of the programme meeting from 19–22 July to take part in the Youth House of Representatives and Select Committee events.
A range of topics were discussed at the event by the Youth MPs. Out of 120 Youth MPs, 18 spoke on the mental health crisis, comparing the crisis to an epidemic with New Zealand having one of the highest youth suicide rates. The Disabled Persons Assembly called for more accessible housing for disabled people. Their submission to the Social Services and Community select committee showed Universal Design features such as level entry points, varied lighting for neurodiverse people, and sufficient space for animals outside.
The Mock Bill discussed how much New Zealanders are making. The Minimum Wage (Starting-Out Wage Abolition) Amendment Bill wanted to resolve the age-based discrimination in the Minimum Wage Act 1983 by getting rid of the starting-out wage rate. Overseeing the debate was the first Youth Clerk of the House, Danica Louilé-Wijtenburg, who is currently studying a Law and Global Studies conjoint at the University of Auckland.
The caucus was disrupted on 20 July as over half of the Youth MPs walked out of the debating chamber over a gun rights speech. In response to Youth MP Matthew Fisken’s speech, other Youth MPs said they found the speech shocking, dishonourable to the Christchurch terrorist attack, and uncomfortable.
University of Auckland student, Shannon, says “I don’t think this year’s Youth Parliament should be remembered for a walkout, however just that action may have been. There were so many other great issues discussed which shows how committed our young representatives are for giving us a better future, and they should be remembered for their ability to stand up and speak in what they believe in”.
