But Flinders teenager Tahlia King has a message for Australia’s politicians – ‘’there definitely needs to be more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in parliament’’.

The 17-year-old met our nation’s leaders at the week-long National Indigenous Youth Parliament held in Canberra.

And, if the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts year 12 student has her way, it won’t be long before she’s in the nation’s capital on a full-time basis.

‘’I plan on going to university to study law but I’d love to get into politics at some stage and be involved in effecting positive policy changes for our Aboriginal community,’’ Tahlia said.  

‘’It was good to meet Mr Turnbull and Mr Shorten but I definitely feel we are under represented in parliament at the moment.

‘’I’d also like to see Aboriginal education or Indigenous studies as a mandatory subject within all schools all over Australia.’’

Tahlia, a young Aboriginal woman connected to the Yuin and Waani Nations of NSW and Queensland, was one of 50 Indigenous youth parliamentarians who took part in National Indigenous Youth Parliament.

The week-long program included a two-day parliament in the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, a special parliamentary reception with campaigners from the 1967 referendum and the families of the Mabo plaintiffs, and a visit to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

Tahlia, who also recently participated in the Indigenous Solidarity conference at the University of Albany, New York, said she got a lot out of taking part in the youth parliament.

‘’I wanted to understand what qualities I needed to develop my leadership skills and develop my understanding of being a leader,’’ she said.

‘’But I also wanted to connect with new people and make new contacts, and I got to do that which was really good.’’

At a reception at Government House, the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, urged the youth parliamentarians to be the new generation of fine leaders, of inspirational Australians.

‘’Remind yourselves of all the things Indigenous Australians have achieved, the great strides that have been made for equality, recognition, reconciliation and justice,’’ Mr Cosgrove said.

‘’Remind yourselves of how great our democratic processes and traditions are—despite their drawbacks and their foibles.

‘’And then resolve to make your mark because Australia needs you.’’