Two Wollongong high school girls have had their bills passed by both houses of the NSW Parliament during the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament program.
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Figtree High School's Jelena Zaric, 16, and St Mary Star of the Sea College's Rita Andraos, 15, participated in the six-month program. Last week they attended the NSW parliamentary chambers to propose their bills.
Jelena was part of the Committee Investigating Health that aimed to address the high rates of sexually transmitted infections among young people in rural and regional NSW.
Rita was part of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee that investigated methods to run an education program for indigenous carers about their rights and responsibilities.
Jelena's committee had four sponsors who created the bill and four people who refuted and amended it.
The bill proposed six sexual health clinic services, mobile vans and an awareness campaign. The passed bills will be given to NSW state MPs.
"I am considering a career in policy and advocacy because the program was a great experience, especially being in the chambers," Jelena said.
Rita's committee looked at providing information talks and workshops in indigenous communities for all carers about financial assistance and support programs.