Community
6 November, 2023
Future in young hands
VOTING has started to decide the future leaders of the Cairns region.
The election for the region’s youth council to table and execute the issues that concern teenagers is underway as thousands of students hit the ballots this week in their schools.
Youth aged 11-17 can now cast a vote at schools and community spaces to elect 12 representatives to the Cairns Youth Council who will represent four regions, north, central, south and far south for an 18-month term from 2024-25 as part of the pilot Young Mayors Program delivered by Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and Cairns Regional Council.
Voting will be optional- preferential to provide a realistic experience for young voters.
Acting mayor Terry James said election week would be a new experience for young voters.
“Cairns has about 14,000 young people who are eligible to elect representatives from a diverse pool of candidates this election,” he said.
“Once elected, the Cairns Youth Council will meet regularly and provide formal advice to councillors and help us make decisions with meaningful input from the next generation of local leaders.
“Council is keen to see young people actively involved in our community and we’re excited to make that happen through the Cairns Youth Council.”
The youth council will have the opportunity to work closely with Cairns Regional Council bringing forward proposals and defining priority areas to implement projects with the help of council.
Their term will go from February 2024 to July 2025. Over the past few months, candidates have had access to free workshops about being an elected representative and campaigning, marketing tutorials and campaign materials.
FYA acting executive director of civic and cultural engagement Tahlia Azaria said the program looked to engage the youth with the systems of government impact their community and their lives.
“Local governments play a huge role in the everyday lives of people in our communities, and that includes young people. But young people are often locked out of power – consulted, but never in charge,” they said.
“This program puts young people in the driver’s seat – ensuring that council policies and programs better reflect the concerns, needs, and desires of local young people.” Cairns now joins Mackay, Horsham (Victoria), and Wollongong (New South Wales) in launching their pilot Young Mayors Program.
For more information about the program, visit: https://www.fya.org.au/program/young-mayors/
