Mildura’s youth parliament team passed their bill to reinstate a passenger train to Mildura

Five of Mildura’s brightest young people were surprised at the outcome when they took their fight to parliament to get passenger rail to north-west Victoria.

Five of Mildura’s brightest young people say they were shocked at how well they were received when they fought to get passenger rail reinstated to Mildura at youth parliament.

Rory Peterson, Tahiba Mirzaee, Trey Peirce, Turishaa Suresh and returning member Aimee Ablett tabled their bill last week.

Mildura, the only large Victorian centre without passenger train access, lost the service in September 1993.

Trey, 16, said the experience was "amazing" everyone got behind their bill to reintroduce a rail service from Mildura to Melbourne city.

"Even the team that had to refute our bill came up to us afterwards and said they didn't want to," he said. 

"People were talking all week about how it was so crucial."

The team who refuted the bill seemed to struggle for points to argue. Trey said. 

"They were really just nitpicking details, we were easily able to rebut their points," he said. 

Trey is a student at Mildura Senior College said he was hoped to make a difference beyond the Youth Parliament experience.

“I love the idea of fighting for other people, helping those around me,” he said.

Trey added: “It is a way for youth from all across the state to push local issues and have their voices heard.”

Rory Peterson, Tahiba Mirzaee, Trey Peirce, Turishaa Suresh and returning member Aimee Ablett are all a part of this year's Youth parliament team for Mildura. They will be fighting for the return of a passenger rail to Mildura, which will also benefit other small towns along the route, better connecting the regions to healthcare, employment and other services to improve quality of life.

Aimee Ablett, 18, graduated from Mildura Senior College last year and is now working as a junior legal clerk Holcroft Lawyers before she plans to study at the University of Melbourne.

She said she became involved with youth parliament because she was interested in becoming a politician.

“As soon as I heard about it a few years ago I knew I wanted to be involved, just to have my voice heard,” she said.

Trey and Aimee say a passenger train, connecting Mildura to Melbourne, is an “essential” service.

“Mildura is quite a large population and we are so separated from the rest of Victoria,” Trey said.

“A passenger train would be an alternative to driving the whole way to Melbourne or catching a flight which a lot of people can't afford. It would allow for more opportunity, people can access more employment and medical services as well as it being better for the environment.”

Aimee said it would also be beneficial for smaller towns along the route.

The team has returned from their debate but said they won't stop fighting for the train. The bill will now be passed along to the youth minister and the minister for public transport to be considered in actual Parliament.

"We have a meeting with Ali Cupper in a couple of days to discuss the next steps," Trey said. 

"It seems like we have some real momentum."

Trey said the whole experience of going to Melbourne and debating in Parliament had inspired him to reach for his goal of working in politics. 

"It has made me want it more," he said. 

"It was such an amazing opportunity where I not only got to participate in politics but also made some really good friends."

Youth parliament is a program run by YMCA giving young people a chance to be heard at the highest levels of the state government.