On Saturday 14 April, the Queensland Parliament House hosted a ceremony to swear in the newly appointed members of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament, and among them was Burdekin’s very own, Brent Dingle.
The YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) stands as a highly celebrated and unique opportunity for young people to create real change in Queensland. Open to young people aged 15 – 25 across Queensland, Brent has been eager to join the QYP since he was encouraged by his school principal at the Burdekin Christen College.
“My school principal encouraged me to apply for the Queensland Youth Parliament when I mentioned that I originally wanted to go to university for law, and she believed I would be best suited so she prompted me to apply for the program,” explained Brent.
Brent has been an extremely active member within the Burdekin community for many years. As well as having been appointed as the 2023 Deputy Youth Mayor for the Burdekin Shire Youth Council, Brent continuously volunteers for community service events including CWL, Park Run, and even at an Ambulance Seminar. In 2023, Brent was honourably recoginised for his selfless dedication to community with a Young Citizen of The Year Award, a token he feels perfectly captures what matters to him the most.
“I was awarded the Young Citizen of The Year Award for getting involved, and giving back to my community which is really close to my heart and being a young person with cerebral palsy I have always felt passionate about my community and for giving young people a voice, especially those with a disability.”
The QYP fosters its Youth Members’ desire to make a difference within their electorates in political areas through educational opportunities and firsthand parliamentary experiences. In mid-April, Brent attended the Launch Weekend event where he was officially sworn into parliament alongside his committee members.
“At the 3-day Launch Weekend, I learnt all the ins and outs of parliament through interactive workshops with parliamentary employees, we did a mock debate at Queensland Parliament House, and we started writing our Bill,” explained Brent.
“As part of the parliament, I am in the committee of Health, Mental Health and Emergency Services, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Seniors and Disability Services, and we will develop our Bill over the year long program.”
Brent, alongside his committee members, have begun work to develop a Youth Bill which will be debated and amended throughout the year, and then presented at Parliament House as part of The QYP’s Residential Week in September.
“Over the next 12 months we’ll be split into teams for sponsoring and refuting; sponsoring creates the Bill, and the refuting create amendments to the Bill, and when I go back to Brisbane in September for Residential Week, I’ll go to Parliament House every day to debate my Bill in parliament,” explained Brent.
Once the Youth Bill has been passed, it will be sent to the Officer of Youth, and then passed to the Queensland Government Minister responsible for the corresponding Portfolio.
“It has been really good to work with people close to parliament, learning the ins and outs on how Queensland runs, and it’s definitely opened my eyes to a new career opportunity.”
With high school graduation approaching at the end of 2024, Brent has been planning out his next few years, and after his time with the QYP, his future career aspirations have slightly shifted.
“I plan to go to Griffith University to study a double degree in Business and Political Science, and following that, I’ve been strongly encouraged by many people to become the Queensland Premier, so it’s become a sort of goal of mine.”
With an inspirational past, present and future, Brent hopes to spread his message to others with similar aspirations.
“I am passionate about spreading positive reinforcement and the message that anything is possible with the right mindset and goals.”
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