Teen Parliament 2023: SA’s young leaders bring some class to politics

SA’s political leaders got a glimpse of the next generation on Thursday when some of the state’s brightest students arrived on their turf.

The next generation of leaders took Parliament House by storm as they presented their reasoned arguments and engaged in spirited debate with the state’s leaders watching on.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher and former premier Steven Marshall were present as the cohort of students at Thursday’s Teen Parliament 2023 spoke about pressing topics, such as education, transport and energy.

During the opening remarks of the event, The Advertiser editor Gemma Jones expressed optimism for the future of South Australia as she addressed the students.

“Our state is in great hands with you,” she said.

Speaker Dan Cregan, who guided the session, encouraged the students to follow their passion for politics after their schooling.

“There are 47 seats and there is no reason one of them shouldn’t be yours in the future,” he said.

Speaker Dan Cregan at Teen Parliament. Picture: Russell Millard

Streaky Bay Area School student Ashley Hunt kicked off debate with an impassioned speech about improving access to education in the state’s regions.

But the day was more significant for Ashley than most, as it was also her 17th birthday and she said it was an “incredible” way to spend it.

“It’s been the best birthday,” she said.

Ashley Hunt spent her birthday at Teen Parliament. Picture: Russell Millard

Sacred Heart College student Jasmine Eramiha called for parliament to recognise the power of youth voices to create meaningful change.

“Young people bring fresh perspectives to the table and challenge our traditional ways of thinking and bring new solutions to old problems,” she said.

“We are the future of our nation and we have the right to have our voices heard on issues that are affecting (us) and the world we will inherit.”

The Indigenous cohort of students formed a strong voice within Teen Parliament.

Sacred Heart College student Tayah Coulthard-Todd called for more Indigenous education in all schools across the state to increase cultural awareness.

“I am passionate about Aboriginal students having access to education scholarships and making Aboriginal studies compulsory in South Australia,” she said.

Tayah told the students about the “major gap” in literacy and numeracy skills among the Indigenous population and particularly among the older generation.

The young parliamentarians rallied around Tayah, with Emily Thompson of Golden Grove High School saying she “fully endorsed” the comments and increased education opportunities would be “so important”.

Tjindu Foundation students Mackayla Harrison, Speaker Dan Cregan, Jason Coaby, Attorney-General Kyam Maher, Jordan Horne and Tayah Coulthard-Todd. Picture: Russell Millard

Education was a hot topic at the session with students raising concerns about the current curriculum.

Marryatville High School student Melina Gaffey petitioned for a more extensive program of sexual education in schools.

“This is a generation who gets this sexual consent advice from social media, not from Australian teachers,” Melina said.

“We need to address the myths and misinformation that are present on social media as we speak, making reform crucial.”

The students identified transport as a key issue with St Ignatius College student Ryan Tanti proposing public transport improvements, including “a combination of America’s underground subway as well as Japan’s electric bullet train system”.

Fellow St Ignatius College student John Dwyer called for a train connecting the CBD to Murray Bridge through the Adelaide Hills.

“I would argue that offering a regular, efficient and safe train into the city would attract potential interstate and international residents and increase the liveability of our state,” he said.

Student John Dwyer at Teen Parliament. Picture: Russell Millard

While debate was respectful, the most controversial topic of the day was nuclear power with students Jordan Papageorgiou, from Unley High School, and Seth Kayser, from Port Lincoln High School, sparking fierce debate.

“Companies seeking to invest or manufacture in SA need to know that there was a reliable source of power,” Jordan said.

“It is my strong belief, Mr Speaker, that nuclear energy is a solution to what has been labelled as Australia’s energy crisis,” Seth said.

Their arguments prompted rebuttals from their peers.

Among them was Kosta Zacharia, from Seaton High School, who highlighted environmental issues with the controversial energy source.

Pembroke School student Hamdan Asif raised awareness to the issue of water scarcity in the state.

“Water is one of the most essential resources for life, and scarcity is a serious problem that affects not just today, not just Australia, but the entire world,” he said.

Hamdan cited recent droughts and population growth as leading causes of water scarcity and called on the government to introduce education incentives to increase water conservation and recycling.

Wirreanda Secondary School student Julia Overeem identified the lack of confidentiality and the requirement of parental permission as barriers to students accessing mental health support.

She proposed all teachers be educated on mental health issues so that they can provide better support.

This year’s Teen Parliament. Picture: Russell Millard

Analysis: These teens can teach our leaders a thing or two

By Paul Starick

In more than 20 years watching state and federal parliaments, the Teen Parliament was one of the most thoughtful and inspiring sessions I’ve seen.

Watching these young leaders’ contributions in the seat of South Australian democracy engenders great confidence in the state’s future.

Indeed, the professional politicians would be well advised to watch the passion, creativity, insight, rigour and general decorum with which these young people presented and debated their ideas.

There was none of the gratuitous theatre of belittling opponents, dodging the issue or simply playing politics that is usually seen in the House of Assembly – or other parliamentary chambers. These high school students, mostly aged 16 and 17, brought a rawness, honesty, courage and respect to their debates.

Student Jackson Coaby Picture: Russell Millard

A case in point was nuclear energy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in December moved swiftly to shut down Premier Peter Malinauskas’s call to be open-minded about nuclear power, when the state leader argued Adelaide-based submarine construction would bust “ill-founded” ideological myths about atomic safety.

By contrast, two Teen Parliament speakers eloquently argued in favour of nuclear energy, prompting others to calmly and methodically present counterevidence.

Port Lincoln High School’s Seth Kayser argued nuclear power was a low-emission solution to Australia’s energy crisis, saying the nation could be powered with uranium already mined and exported.

“At what risks? Nuclear kills our country, creating our country to die, because where I come from they’re killing my home,” said Sacred Heart College’s Tayah Coulthard-Todd, representing First Nations people.

Speaker Dan Cregan, who presided over debate, rightly praised the teen parliamentarians “ideas, energy, passion for the future and commitment to ensuring there’s progress in the state”.

“I must say a little cheekily that I think it is actually accurate that you’ve been incredibly well behaved. This is somewhat of an improvement in the chamber, so other members could well learn from you on that front,” Mr Cregan said, closing the session.