By Cam Lucadou-Wells
State political parties have got into a stoush over funding the long-running Youth Parliament.
The Coalition has pledged $120,000 annually for the next four years for the event, which involved 120 students aged 16 to 25 years drafting and debating Bills at the state’s Parliament House this month.
South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Inga Peulich said it represented a boost of $20,000 on the State Government’s current funding.
However Cranbourne Labor MP Jude Perera said the Coalition pledge “cut funds”, claiming $154,000 was allocated to this month’s Youth Parliament.
A State Government media statement on 2 July stated “more than $100,000” was allocated to this year’s event.
Ms Peulich said the Coalition’s funding ensured more young people could take part, including those with special needs and disadvantaged backgrounds.
“Since its establishment, Youth Parliament has provided the opportunity for 2000 young Victorians to speak out on issues important to them.
“Even more young people can add their voice and be part of this strong tradition”.
She accused the State Government of “shelving” student engagement.
Mr Perera said the Government had supported the Youth Parliament for the past four years, with additional funds to ensure people with a disability took part.
The event included captioning services and interpreters.
“The Andrews Labor Government has almost doubled spending in the Youth Affairs portfolio since 2014 to enable more young people to have their voices heard including launching the first ever Victorian Youth Congress.”
He said the Coalition’s “mates in Canberra” had cut the Youth Minister portfolio from Cabinet and cut all funding for National Youth Week.
The Youth Parliament has been the origin of more than 20 reforms, including mandatory wearing of bike helmets and nightclub safety measures.
