The Kurri High School captain has been selected to join the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament program, which gives young people a voice in the running of NSW.

This will be the 17-year-old’s third year involved with the youth parliament and he said he is really looking forward to pushing the big issues.

“This year I really want to fight for the things that matter to me, that matter to Cessnock and most importantly the youth of NSW,” Hayden said.

‘The first year I was involved I was able to sit back and gain a real insight into the legislative process.

“Then last year as the leader of the opposition I was able to continue that learning process.

“This year I won’t be holding back.”

As a Youth Legislative Council Member, Hayden will join committees in different portfolios, including roads and ports, indigenous health, justice and law reform and education.

The youth parliamentarians will research and create a bill to address an issue they are passionate about. They will follow the same processes as their adult counterparts and participate in question time, matters of public importance and private members business.

The program allows students’ opinions and concerns to be heard by those who have the power to make laws and aims to promote youth-led advocacy, active community leadership and legal and parliamentary reform. 

As part of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament program they will participate in residential and training camps, where they get to meet all the Youth MPs for 2014 and receive training on how to write their bills. 

The bills will be presented to MPs and ministers in NSW Parliament House in July.

Hayden is currently completing year 12 and said that after school he hopes to study law and one day run for council.