Padua College team passes biodiversity Bill

“We are paving the way to a future where sustainable agriculture is the norm.”

These were the words spoken by the Padua College Y Youth Parliament team in the debate to pass their Bill through the Victorian Legislative Council.

With echoing cries of “hear, hear” and “read the bill”, the Padua team spoke passionately about the topic they held so close to their hearts. Team members Bella Walsh, Fin Fowler, Quinney Brownfield and Connor Kingston spent months crafting the Improved Agricultural Sustainability and Biodiversity Bill, looking forward to the day they could debate it in Parliament House.

The Victorian Youth Parliament is a way of elevating the voices of young people, demonstrated through the implementation of young people writing Bills that they will ultimately debate in the Victorian Parliament. The program is run by the YMCA and young people aged between 16 and 25 are able to apply to speak up on issues they are passionate about.

The proposed Bill primarily discusses resources and knowledge that would be provided to Victorian farmers in order to better implement sustainable practices into their everyday farming. Its goal is to reintroduce more biodiverse native plants as well as developing more rules and systems for farmers.

Asked what inspired the team to focus its Bill on agricultural sustainability, Fin said that “at its heart” the Bill was a response to the “ever more pressing issue of agriculture and land usage and regulation on the Mornington Peninsula, which is also more pressing across the state”.

The team nervously prepared for the debate in the days beforehand, writing speeches and refining their Bill. Finally, surrounded by the golden detailing and impressive pillars of the Legislative Council, the team finally got to present their Bill to the rest of their chamber.

In her heartfelt speech, Bella explained how the proposed Bill would “enhance the effectiveness of these statements”. They laid out the facts, presented their argument and highlighted their goals for this Bill. Quinney addressed the Government powerfully, stating that Australians “stand on the edge of a huge step forward” and adding the Bill was “not just a dream” but a realistic “vision” for a better future for farmers.

The team's “more sustainable approach” to farming was well regarded by the chamber, resulting in a strong debate between the members of the Youth Parliament. Padua highlighted how agriculture was “one of the pillars of the Victorian economy” and something that could not be overlooked.

The Bill passed almost unanimously through the Legislative Council and will now be sent to the corresponding Parliamentary officials to possibly be passed into law in the future.

The debate, chaired by North Eastern Metropolitan state Greens MP Aiv Puglielli, was a great success. Mr Puglielli said it was “inspiring” to see young people “speak so passionately about our land”, as it was a topic that was increasingly relevant in today's society.

Summarised in the words of Padua team member Connor, the Improved Agricultural Sustainability and Biodiversity Bill is “a strong step towards the future”.

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