Local youth pass bill to ban single-use plastic bags

Wednesday, 10 July, 2019

Strathbogie Shire’s Youth Parliament team successfully passed a bill to ban single-use plastic bags at the 32nd YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament Program.

A team of six young people representing the Strathbogie Shire spent three days in the chambers of Victoria’s State Parliament House debating 20 bills brought forward by 120 young people from across the state.

The Strathbogie Shire Youth team’s bill proposed a Single Use Plastic Bag Commission which would be responsible for phasing out single-use plastic bags in Victorian businesses over twelve months.

It also proposed that any excess bags be used for bitumen on roads across Victoria.

Youth Parliament Team and Strathbogie Shire Evolve Youth Committee member, Malachi Wild said the discussions about single-use plastic bags started at a Youth Politics Camp several months ago and evolved into the Youth Parliament Program.

“I thought it was a great opportunity to get the voice of young people in our area out to the public and to politicians who are able to change things,” Mr Wild said.

“It was such a great environment to be a part of, with 120 passionate young people from all over Victoria sharing our opinions and thoughts on different issues that are affecting us.”

Strathbogie Shire Youth Development Officer, Andy Bell said this was the first time Council has supported a team to attend the Youth Parliament Program.

“The Victorian Youth Parliament Program is a fantastic way for young people to get a greater understanding about the way government works and how they can be involved in the democratic process,” Mr Bell explained.

“It is fantastic to see such a positive outcome for single-use plastic bags and the opportunity for local young people to have real influence at a state level.”

“We are so proud of our local Youth Parliament Team and would like to congratulate them on their success.”