Teen Parliament 2022 hears ideas to make SA better

Participants in The Advertiser’s Teen Parliament gathered at state parliament on Friday to come up with ideas for the future of South Australia.

Forget Adelaide being the third most liveable city in the world, the next generation of South Australians won’t settle for anything less than being number one.

Their vision is a state which is inclusive, sustainable and driven by a vibrant economy.

Rather than an afterthought for tourists, SA should be a magnet for visitors and a compelling destination for investors and migrants.

Those are the views of Teen Parliament 2022, an initiative by The Advertiser to ensure young people are heard before the March state election .There is a disconnect between the government and young people, Milla Swain from Loreto College said.

Back row: Kyra Quilliam – Woodcroft College; Ahaan Kothari – Glenunga International High School; Nicola Short – Heathfield High School; Adrian Niculescu – Sacred Heart College; Callum Barrott-Walsh – Cardijn College; Rodan Jaworkski – Nazareth Catholic College. Middle rows: Tealia Jenkins – Pedare Christian College; Mihir Doshi – Adelaide High School; Daniela Bagnato – St Aloysius College; Klara Lenkiewicz – St Mary’s College; India Ciura – St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln; Sahib Kaur – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College; Anesha Rahman – Wilderness School; Milla Swain – Loreto College; Mercy Yebu – Hope Christian College; George Burgess – Cedar College; Katey Gosden – Marden Senior College; Mobin Achakzai – IQRA College. Front row: Stella Crisa – Nazareth Catholic College; Julianna Vibal – Hope Christian College; Miel Ancheta – Charles Campbell College; Allegra Kleinig – Wilderness School; Ebony Hughes – Investigator College; Emily Craig – Pedare Christian College. Picture Emma Brasier

“Whether it’s to do with the environment, education or something more,” Milla said.

“The youth of SA are desperate to be included in the conversation.”

Teen Parliament, held on Friday in the House of Assembly under guidance of Speaker Dan Cregan gave a platform for new ideas.

Opening debate, India Ciura, from St Joseph’s School Port Lincoln, moved that politicians listen to young people.

India drew on her experiences with mental health to call for support.

“I have seen friend after friend struggle, pushing through each day and dreading the next,” she said.

India faced depression and a sister who needed help but was turned away because she wasn’t quite at the point of suicidal thoughts.

South Australian Teen Parliament participants (L to R) India Ciura from St Joseph’s Port Lincoln, Adrien Niculescu from Sacred Heart College and Mobin Achakzai from IQRA College. Picture Emma Brasier

More specialists, including in regional areas, and education were needed. “I am calling for government support so we may no longer suffer alone,” India said.

“We are sick of your ignorance and we are calling for change.”

SA as a caring society which includes everyone was a common theme.

Katey Gosden, from Marden Senior College, said teenagers in the LGBTQ+ community “are not receiving the level of support they are entitled to”. Counselling and education would have a positive impact, she said.

Callum Barrott-Walsh, of Cardijn College, called for workplaces to normalise employing people with a disability.

He suggested an AFL round where disabled athletes showcased the skills of a particular sport during halftime.

Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly Dan Cregan presided over the youth parliament. Picture: Emma Brasier

Anesha Rahman, of Wilderness School, wanted Indigenous culture more widely understood.

George Burgess, of Cedar College, and Mobin Achakzai, of IQRA College, called for action to address homelessness.

Mobin spoke of being part of a refugee family living for nearly a decade in Adelaide on temporary visas, blocking them from fully participating in society.

Adrian Nicelscu, from Sacred Heart College, said the solution to many problems were more jobs – achievable by abolishing payroll tax.

“This would instantly boost start-ups and attract existing enterprises to expand or migrate from the eastern and western states,” Adrian said.

Teens backed tourism to drive growth. Ebony Hughes, from Investigator College in Victor Harbor, said fixing the Torrens river would have environmental and tourism benefits.

Mobin Achakzai spoke about the difficulty of fiiting in as part of an immigrant family. Picture: Mark Brake

Allegra Kleinig, from Wilderness, wanted a recreation hub alive with art, music and play over the railways adjacent to the Torrens.

“We can transform this currently dead space into one where the sounds of trains screeching on the tracks is replaced by children’s happy squeals, adult chatter and the bustle of new businesses,” Allegra said.

“Adelaide is currently the third most liveable city in the world, let’s make it number one.”

Tealia Jenkins, of Pedare Christian College, suggested a giant water park with slides heated in winter. “We are already known as the most liveable city (in Australia) but we also want to become the most loveable,” she said.