Young people will showcase their ideas and energy at The Advertiser’s Teen Parliament
Young South Australians want politicians to sit up and take notice of how to fix the state. See how the The Advertiser’s Teen Parliament unfolded.
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The heart of South Australia’s democracy will beat to a younger rhythm on Friday as Teen Parliament meets in the House of Assembly.
Bold new ideas to supercharge the economy, lift education, empower women and create a more inclusive society will be voiced by the young leaders.
Students from public, independent and Catholic schools, from the city, the suburbs and regions will debate ideas they want on the agenda at next month’s state election.
Teen parliament is an initiative by The Advertiser to ensure young people are heard.
It is supported by Speaker Dan Cregan who said the students’ ideas “are vital to the future of our state”.
“I know many existing MPs will be listening closely,” he said.
Two students will go on to each receive a $10,000 education scholarship thanks to HomeStart Finance, a donor who wishes to remain anonymous and the Advertiser Foundation.
Watch the Teen Parliament replay:
MEET OUR TEEN PARLIAMENTARIANS
Mobin Achakzai, 16
Afghan refugee Mobin Achakzai travelled to Australia by boat with his mother and three siblings.
He wants to improve how homelessness in SA is treated.
The IQRA College student said homeless people in city parks reminded him of Afghanistan.
“It shouldn’t be like that, if there are people who can actually help them and if I can help them we should support them,” Mobin said.
Miel Ancheta, 17
Charles Campbell College student Miel Ancheta believes SA has huge potential to develop a hydrogen industry.
“By 2050 we could be 200 per cent renewable energy and we won’t have to rely on fossil fuels for transport and electricity supply,” Miel said.
“It’s main advantage is sustainability, there’s no carbon footprint.”
Miel hopes to study chemical engineering at Adelaide University or a special course in hydrogen at Monash in Victoria.
Daniela Bagnato, 15
St Aloysius College year 10 Daniela Bagnato is on a mission to improve literacy, starting with primary school.
She recommends a statewide creative writing program, an idea which flows from her own experiences and from her leadership in a project at her school.
The project, under the auspices of Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly, involved primary students creating their own narratives and illustrations.
“Building on your writing skills, especially creative skills, allows you to be more precise in your other subjects,” she said.
“Writing is a skill that you can put in any context and be useful.”
Callum Barrott-Walsh, 17
Cardijn College Year 12 student Callum Barrott-Walsh wants Adelaide to be known as the City of Inclusiveness, and to live by the line in the anthem “we are one but we are many”.
“There are plenty of people with disabilities who yearn to be accepted,” he said.
“As a young carer for my brother with Down syndrome, I have gained the courage to speak out and represent the disabled community.”
George Burgess, 15
Solving the crisis of Adelaide’s homeless and helping people into professions would aid the entire state, Cedar College year 10 student George Burgess said.
“This would lead us one step closer, to creating a better future for every citizen in South Australia.”
India Ciura, 17
An idea close to home has brought India Ciura to Adelaide for the Teen Parliament. Her sister suffered with anxiety and there were few services to help in her home town of Port Lincoln.
“This lack of support has fuelled my goal to study psychology,” India said.
Stella Crisa, 16
Making South Australia “sexy” again is year 12 Nazareth Catholic College’s Stella Crisa’s big idea.
“My big ideas to make the south sexy again is improving industries and focusing on building South Australia as a place to invest, expand an existing business or create a new one,” she said.
Emily Craig, 16
It is raining big ideas for Pedare Christian College student Emily Craig who wants to harness aquaculture.
“This will result in expanding industry, creating jobs and revitalising rural communities,” the year 11 student said.
Mihir Doshi, 17
Create a new Silicon Valley here, according to Adelaide High School year 12 student Mihir Doshi, who has watched Accenture and Deloitte arrive.
“We can significantly boost Adelaide’s economy, creating a new, busy vibrant city,” he said.
Katey Gosden, 17
Marden Senior College year 12 student Katey Gosden wants more help for LGBTQ+ students.
“Being queer as a teenager is difficult enough, with constant issues around coming out and being treated differently due to society’s current perceptions surrounding LGBTQ+ individuals,” the 17-year-old said.
Ebony Hughes, 16
“Revive the Torrens, forget Venice. Let’s make the Torrens ‘vivo e favoloso’! (alive and fabulous),” Investigator College year 11 student Ebony Hughes said.
The energetic Victor Harbor teen says a boat to attractions would breathe life into the riverfront.
Rodan Jaworski, 17
Waiting in traffic would be left in the past if the big idea of Rodan Jaworski is adopted.
“With the advancement of Artificial intelligence technology, intelligent traffic lights should be developed to save more people time,” the Nazareth College student said.
Tealia Jenkins, 16
Build the attractions and tourists will come, according to Pedare Christian College student Tealia Jenkins.
“Brisbane has theme parks, Sydney has the Opera House, but Adelaide has nothing. We need something to bring tourists in,” she said.
Sahibjot (Sahib) Kaur, 15
Gender equality is on Parafield Gardens’ year 10 student Sahibjot Kaur’s agenda.
“I believe that SA can empower women and open the eyes of society,” she said. “Gender equality is not about being above men or hating them, it’s about women being treated socially and economically equal to them.”
Allegra Kleinig, 16
Wilderness student Allegra Kleinig has a big idea for a city eyesore.
“Wedged between the Torrens and Biomed City, train tracks occupy what could be a dynamic and beautiful section of Adelaide. A new sports and entertainment arena is planned. This plan lacks ambition. Let’s maximise the potential of this space by building over the train tracks, creating a whole entertainment precinct.”
Ahaan Kothari, 14
Glenunga International High School student Ahaan Kothari wants SA to think boldly and creatively by designing buildings to wow tourists.
SA ranked low on the priority list for visitors but this could be turned around, he believes.
The state government should help fund the initiative.
“SA would be able to construct buildings as unique and far-fetched as the D’Arenberg cube,” he said. “This will not only skyrocket tourism rates and revenue like never seen before, but it will also create more employment.“
Klara Lenkiewicz, 16
Year 12 student at St Mary’s College Klara Lenkiewicz is passionate about women being able equally participate in political life.
“Strong policies, accountability practices and blanket protection that safeguards women from humiliation and intimidation, must be implemented to ensure the female future of politics,” she said after being moved by the plight of outgoing federal Liberal MP Nicolle Flint.
“What better way to build a bigger and better SA than by making history again in starting a national movement and standing with and for our women in Parliament.”
Adrian Niculescu, 16
Payroll tax is stifling employment in South Australia, according to Sacred Heart College student Adrian Niculescu.
“I propose that this tax be eliminated entirely. Since South Australia would be the only state to do so, our state would immediately experience an increase in start-ups and an inflow of established businesses expanding or relocating from the eastern and western seaboards,” the Grange student said.
Kyra Quilliam, 17
Woodcroft College student Kyra Quilliam has mastered chemistry but in 13 years at school has been taught few financial skills, which could serve students in later life, and she wants this to change.
“A crash course in the real world to prevent an accumulation of debt and allow my generation to focus less on getting through the rest of the week and start channelling our energy into reinventing South Australia.”
Anesha Rahman, 16
Anesha Rahman, 16, is of Badimaya heritage from the Yamatji region of Western Australia. The Wilderness School student will give the acknowledgment of country at the opening of the parliament.
Anesha’s awareness of her family’s suffering, including her grandfather who was a member of the Stolen Generation, spurs her advocacy.
“In the public I feel like there can be a very tokenistic nature in which Aboriginal people are presented,” she said.
Her plan to introduce bush tucker menus at South Australian schools, and inviting rural doctors to participate in providing healthcare in remote Aboriginal communities under spiritual trees.
Milla Swain, 17
Giving youth a voice would drive the big ideas SA needs to thrive into the future, according to Loreto College student Milla Swain.
“There needs to be a permanent way for young South Australians to have a voice in a world that constantly makes us feel unimportant. Many students, like myself, would love to be given the opportunity to surround ourselves with similar-minded, passionate, young change-makers,” the student from Marden said.
Nicola Short, 15
Teaching the teachers to do a better job will lift the education system and create a better future for the next generation of South Australians, Teen Parliamentarian Nicola Short says.
The year 10 student has been involved in a program at her school, Heathfield High, where students have been doing exactly that – and it’s delivering results.
“We need to flip learning on its head,” Nicola, 15, said.
“Students are not engaged and this needs to change.
“Sending teachers back to school could make school look really different.”
Nicola aims to be involved in education after school.
Julianna Vibal, 17
Year 12 Hope Christian College student Julianna Vibal wants menstrual products provided to women and girls free in schools and workplaces.
She said a lack of access and period poverty affected girls “mentally, physically, socially and financially”.
Mercy Yebu, 17
Elizabeth year 12 student Mercy Yebu wants those having to attend the coroner’s court to hear the case of a loved one to be given legal aid.
The Hope Christian College student was moved by a recent case involving a boy.
“The lack of legal aid is negatively impacting Australians like this family.”
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