Year 12 Catholic College Bendigo student Troi-Saraih Ilsley and Year 11 Bendigo Senior Secondary College student Sam De Rosa were part of a six-person, all-Indigenous team representing the Korin Gamadji Institute at the YMCA Youth Parliament in June.

The bill proposed mandatory seats for Aboriginal people on all Victorian councils, and despite some strong debate, it was passed.

“I felt like it was heated but they approached it really respectfully… which was good to see,” Troi-Saraih, a Wamba Wamba and Gundijtmara woman, said.

Those that refuted the bill argued that it presented the opportunity to Aboriginal people “on a silver platter”, Troi-Saraih said, and that it “babied” them.

Others questioned why mandatory representation should not be provided for all minority groups, instead of only Aboriginal people.

“I just clarified it’s not about favouritism, it’s about equality,” Troi-Saraih said.

She said her team also argued that mandatory seats for Aboriginal people would provide an Indigenous perspective in councils, particularly in regards to land, to which they have a close spiritual connection.

Troi-Saraih said her team decided to pursue the topic after learning that Indigenous people were grossly underrepresented on councils.

Sam said he made a lot of friends and learnt plenty of debating skills as a result of the experience, and would be keen to return next year.

He was invited to join the team after attending a KGI camp and said he jumped at the opportunity because he loved politics, citing his debating skills as the reason for his passion.

Troi-Saraih said she had not ruled out pursuing a career in politics, explaining that while she used to hate public speaking, the experience of the youth parliament had given her a taste for putting her voice out there and having it heard.

She joined the team just three days before the parliament after another member pulled out, and had to prepare two speeches.

“It was stressful, but once I got to the camp the pressure was eased because everyone was really supportive,” she said.

The bill has been forwarded to Youth Affairs Minister Jenny Mikakos and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Natalie Hutchins, who said she would support such a bill if it were to come through parliament and had the support of the Aboriginal community.

The team was sponsored to participate in the youth parliament by the Victorian Electoral Commission, who Sam said had been “awesome” in their support.