Newdegate teenager Trey Westlake debates live export and rural school funding at Youth Parliament 2024

A Newdegate youth determined to “voice the issues that matter most” for regional WA was one of the youngest to represent his electorate in the 2024 Youth Parliament. Trey Westlake was one of 59 electorate members who formed the regional and State development committee in this year’s Youth Parliament. The 2024 Y WA Youth Parliament program enabled 15 to 25-year-olds to present their ideas to policy makers and take part in live debates on July 8, 9 and 11. Trey, 15, put himself forward when his boarding school Aquinas College announced the opportunity in an email earlier this year. He said he wanted to try his luck because the program was an “amazing” chance to create change in youth issues and highlight what was truly impacting rural communities. Alongside his eight committee members, Trey presented a Regional Education Advancement Fund Bill to help rural schools and bridge the gap between metro and regional education. “I felt the difference coming from Newdegate Primary School to Aquinas,” he said. “I didn’t even know what algebra was. “There’s a big gap because our schools are underfunded. “The Bill is to improve their facilities, technology and resources.” He also spoke about how the South Coast Marine Parks would be detrimental to tourism in coastal communities by reducing the enjoyment of a major attraction. The live export ban was the focus of Trey’s adjourned debate on the final day. He argued the ban “is an attack on our livelihoods” that would affect thousands of jobs and the Federal Government’s proposed compensation “is a joke”. He said the State’s 11 abattoirs were already under a lot of pressure and would not be able to bear the burden of the live export ban. Trey recommended other young people take these political opportunities because their voices should be listened to and create a wave of change.