These Copperfield College students are taking their voices to Parliament. 83028 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By LAURA WAKELY
ARE these the future faces of our parliaments?
Six students from Copperfield College have created their own piece of legislation to present to the YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament next week.
Claudia Ralevski, Sophia Demertzis, Julie Nguyen, Rauhda Izzoli and Jake McClean will spend six days in State Parliament arguing that their ‘Alternatives to Juvenile Justice’ bill should be presented to the Government.
The program draws young people from across the state, but it’s more than roleplaying.
In the past, legislation suggested by teenagers has become law, including over the counter availability of the morning-after pill.
“It gives you a voice,” Sophia said.
“Lots of teenagers feel like they’re not listened to and this gives you that future, that hope.”
The Copperfield team’s bill suggests alternatives to the youth justice system for offenders aged between 10 and 17.
Their bill proposes a facility that focuses on educating and treating young offenders for their behaviour rather than punishing them in jail.
Sophia said the current recidivist rate of young offenders was higher than 50 per cent and students had been inspired by their own experience with the justice system to suggest a better way of treating young offenders.
“If we place criminal records on people 10 to 17 year olds, we ‘re taking their life away,” she said.
“We’re suggesting a more humane approach.”
Claudia said debates had become very heated within their group about whether to make the legislation fit all crimes, and is expecting the same controversy in front of their fellow youth next week.
But she said not to “underestimate” the ages of the group, who were determined and passionate about the legislation going forward.
