Youth parliamentarian Rowan Morton presented the Environment Portfolio Bill in the Legislative Assembly Chamber and was impressed with the result.

“I don’t think there was a single person that didn’t vote for this bill,” Rowan said.

“It was a clear indicator that people were supportive of what we wanted to achieve.

“Our bill wasn’t the hot topic of the week but was still important potential legislation. I felt as a person living in a rural area that it needed to be passed.”

The bill addressed waste water usage and recycling for irrigation use in rural and metropolitan areas. With 65 percent of the state now declared in drought, the Environment Portfolio team, headed by Rowan, believed that something needed to be done immediately.

The bill utilised an idea that is presently being used on the Tenterfield Golf course using waste water for irrigation.

“We want every town in NSW to have a waste water treatment plant and use the treated water for irrigation,” Rowan said.

“Big farms use a lot of water and this would lower the pressure off drinking water supplies.”

The actual parliamentary process was an eye opener for Rowan who had a first hand opportunity to see how State Parliament formulates laws and legislation.

Rowan, along with another youth parliamentarian from Inverell, were taken on a tour of Member for the Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay’s office and had the opportunity to sit in the Speaker’s chair in parliament.

“It was amazing, sitting in the Speaker’s chair and sitting on the front bench. This is where NSW legislation is made,” Rowan said.

“Being a politician for a week was not so much empowering, but an opportunity to bring a youth perspective to the parliament itself. Most of the politicians I met were surprised to see how educated and articulate we were.

“They were also surprised that children in NSW showed so much passion with their political views.”

The participating youth parliamentarians were housed at a site in Sydney Olympic Park from Sunday, July 6 until Friday, July 11. The group of 80 students from around NSW participated in sport and recreation activities including a bush dance and a Sydney Harbour cruise.

Visiting American students from the YWCA also participated in the harbour cruise and it was an opportunity to make international friends.

“I want to go back next year as a taskforce leader,” Rowan said.

“It’s run by youth for youth. That’s what I loved so much about it.”

Mr Torbay was following the progress of his local youth parliamentarian over the course of the week and has fears over his job due to Rowan’s outstanding performance.

“It’s causing me to be concerned about my future,” Mr Torbay laughed.

“Congratulations on him being a great ambassador for the area. He is very passionate about advocacy.

“Youth parliament is a wonderful opportunity and he did us proud. The legislation he proposed reflects a lot of the national debate for the future that is happening presently. Good on him for raising awareness on that issue.”