Kimberley young leaders to participate in democratic processes at Y Youth Parliament

Two inspiring young leaders from the Kimberley have been welcomed into the 2024 Y WA Youth Parliament program to represent their electorate and have their voices heard by policymakers. Tremane Baxter-Edwards, 17, is representing the Kalgoorlie electorate and Lei Yuen, 15, from Broome, is representing the Kimberley electorate. Now in its 29th year, the four-month program offers 59 West Australians aged between 15 to 25 an opportunity to debate a Bill chosen by participants on a topic based on their interests. Aquinas College student Tremane is joining the police and justice committee and focusing on juvenile justice reform and rehabilitation. “I’ve always had a fascination with a civic duty as a citizen of Australia and I’ve always been passionate about a number of issues, including remote and regional people, Indigenous affairs, health, education and many other things,” he said. “But the reason I got involved was because I want to see the Government do more in particular areas, such as what we are discussing at the moment in the police and justice committee, which is the juvenile justice system. “I’ve always been passionate about fixing youth crime and the situation with juvenile detention and young people. How do we end that spiral? Particularly for remote and regional people, more so for Indigenous people.” Tremane said he wanted to draw more attention to the juvenile justice system and how the State Government should be investing more in the relevant programs. “This is where we can break that cycle and that’s what I want to get out of Y Youth Parliament, more understanding of that side of the juvenile system and the justice system,” he said. “We need more attention to rehabilitation programs and supporting organisations that are trying their best to break that cycle or bring young people into the mainstream system and not down the path of detention.” Although Tremane is from Wyndham, he said he looked forward to representing the Kalgoorlie electorate. “Likewise for all regional people, I look forward to representing all young people in the regions and I look forward to representing my home community in Wyndham,” he said.