One hundred young people from across the state will take their seats inside NSW Parliament this week to debate Bills on some of the biggest issues facing their generation.
Running from 14–17 July, the Y NSW Youth Parliament Sitting Week will see young people
representing metropolitan, regional and rural communities to debate Bills they have researched, written and developed themselves.
This year marks 25 years of the Y NSW Youth Parliament, an inclusive leadership program that has helped more than 2,000 young people build confidence, understand how democracy works and use their voice on issues that affect their lives and communities.
General Manager of Young People Services at the Y NSW, Marta Vasquez said: “The Y NSW is so proud that Youth Parliament has helped more than 2,000 young people feel safe, connected and heard, while building the confidence to use their voice and lead. Our participants never cease to amaze me. Their courage, heart and the impact they are already making in their communities inspire me every day.”
2026 Youth Premier, Alyssa Pinchbeck said the Y NSW Youth Parliament program has shown her what can happen when young people are listened to and taken seriously.
“This year I want my voice to represent those who can’t or are scared to share their voice and to open doors for others; to make space, build confidence, and help every participant thrive as
advocates, leaders, and people, leaving the program stronger for those who come after us.”
Youth Sitting Week is the result of months of youth engagement, research and debate, with participants turning the issues they care about into Bills they will now put forward inside NSW Parliament, chaired by Members of Parliament. Throughout the week, Youth Parliamentarians will debate issues shaping the lives of young people across NSW, including mental health, youth homelessness, domestic and family violence, disability inclusion, hate-motivated violence, sustainable transport, curriculum reform, third spaces and the ethical use of AI.
The week will open with a formal ceremony in the Legislative Council, before Youth
Parliamentarians move into a week of debate across both Chambers. For the Y NSW, this is Inspiring Lives in action, young people feeling safe to speak, connecting with
others from across the state and building the confidence to thrive.
President of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Ben Franklin MLC said: “For 25 years, the Y NSW Youth Parliament has given young people a powerful platform to debate the issues that matter most to them, and it is inspiring to see 100 emerging leaders step into our Chambers to bring their ideas to life.”
The impact of the Y NSW Youth Parliament program reaches well beyond Youth Sitting Week. Over the past 25 years, more than 2,000 alumni have carried those skills into politics, advocacy, business, community work and the creative industries.
General Manager for Strategy, Advocacy and Engagement at Wesley Mission, Joel MacKay first participated in Youth Parliament as the Youth Member for Blue Mountains in 2005 & 2006 and said that Youth Parliament lifted his gaze beyond school and showed him that young people could make a real difference in their communities.
“As a 16-year-old, my first campaign was advocating for traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing on the Great Western Highway in the Blue Mountains. The skills I developed through the program have shaped my entire career, from youth justice advocacy to supporting stranded Australians during COVID-19 and now working on issues like gambling reform and ensuring social services reach people who need them most.”
Youth Parliamentarians have also helped bring early attention to issues that later became part of mainstream public policy and debate, including LGBTQIA+ rights, paid parental leave and water sustainability.
For 2026 NSW Youth Governor, Jamison Dustin, the message to key decision makers watching Youth Parliament this year is simple, “take young people seriously.”
“They are not just 'future leaders’, they're young people speaking with purpose on issues that
matter right now. Youth Parliament is not just a mock debate; it is a platform for genuine
advocacy, where policy ideas are shaped, and where real change begins.”
The Y NSW acknowledges the NSW Office for Youth, whose generous support helps make Youth Parliament possible for many young people across the state.
The Y NSW is also proud to partner with Scape by The Living Company, as the program’s
accommodation provider. Scape’s support helps remove practical barriers for young people
travelling from across NSW, making it possible for more participants to fully take part regardless of background, location or financial circumstance.
The Y NSW Youth Parliament is built on a simple belief: every young person should have the
chance to be heard, regardless of postcode, background or circumstance.
