SA teen parliament hosted by The Advertiser will give young people a voice in the election

She’s just 16 but Stella has a clear vision to help Adelaide’s south. Here’s how other young people can have their ideas heard ahead of the state election – and win a $10,000 Advertiser scholarship.

SA teens can have their voices heard ahead of the state election and have the chance win a $10,000 scholarship just by submitting their big idea for SA, Adelaide or their region.

Sixteen-year-old western suburbs schoolgirl Stella has big ambitions for her home-state, expressed in a simple and direct way: It’s time to “make the south sexy again”.

The year 12 student from Nazareth College is studying the newly-introduced SACE subject, Politics, Power and People, and is hoping to be part of the Advertiser’s inaugural Teen Parliament.

So too, each of her classmates, all eager to make a difference.

“To be honest, I think they are a little disappointed in how adults are doing (politics) and are excited to have a bit of a voice,” teacher Grace Rillo said, adding stundents were relishing the chance to study politics more intently while at school.

Nazareth College Yr 12 students (from left) Rodan, Zachary, Isaac, Stella, Kathleen and Yianni. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Many kids lack knowledge about the political system, they don’t know who is representing them and yet a lot of year 12s are getting ready to vote.

“(This course) is about making them more informed citizens of the world … (our students) are loving it.”

Stella agrees, saying lessons around politics should be prioritised in schools to help “prepare the future generations for adulthood”.

She also believes that to make South Australia “sexy again”, the state must position itself as a place to invest.

“Lifting private sector investment from both inside and outside the state is essential … we (also) need more businesses exporting and selling to markets outside of South Australia,” she said.

If premier for a day, she says she would “reach out to schools to push for schools to include political courses in their curriculum”.

“We need to educate students to better understand how we are governed and to share opinions and ideas on how and if South Australia is progressing to a greater future,” Stella said.

SUBMIT YOUR BIG IDEA USING THIS FORM

To let teenagers be heard before the election, The Advertiser is inviting students in years 10 to 12 to apply to take part in a 25-member Teen Parliament, to be held Friday morning, February 25.

Entries close this Friday before a panel select the “parliamentarians”.

Two students will each win a $10,000 scholarship to help them with post-school education, thanks to HomeStart, an anonymous donor and The Advertiser Foundation.

The event will be held in parliament under guidance from Speaker Dan Cregan who said he was “thrilled” to welcome the students.

Entries for the youth parliament close this Friday. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“I’m willing to bet they will teach us a thing or two about our state,” he said. “Young people often believe politics is not something they can influence, but they can. All MPs should be listening carefully to what the next generation are thinking.”

Stella’s Nazareth classmates are also keen to share their ideas.

Public transport is a top priority for Yianni, 17, while Aluel, also 17, wants the urgent completion of electrifying the Gawler rail line.

“The Gawler Rail Electrification Project (GREP) has been in construction for

nearly two years, causing numerous complications for residents travelling to and

from locations such as the city,” Aluel said.

Kathleen, 17, wants more funding for healthcare and changes in workplaces to stop bullying and sexual harassment.