Indigenous youth urged to get cracking

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers has urged young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to get cracking on their application for the 2017 National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP).

"This is a golden opportunity to come to Canberra to meet and learn from our parliamentarians, the people making decisions that affect Indigenous communities," Mr Rogers said.

"Don’t let this chance slip by. Time is running out and applications can be done easily online at www.aec.gov.au/Indigenous."

2017 is the third time that NIYP will be run by the Australian Electoral Commission following previous events in 2012 and 2014.

"It is extraordinarily pleasing to see the successes of past participants as they continue to develop their leadership skills and achieve great things at work, through study and in their communities," Mr Rogers said.

"Strengthening leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a critical component of Closing the Gap. This is the essence of the National Indigenous Youth Parliament."

Applications close on Friday 3 March 2017. Apply online at www.aec.gov.au/Indigenous or call 1300 103 183.

Editor's notes:

• Previous participants are available for interview upon request.
• The NIYP is a week-long leadership program for 50 Indigenous Australians aged 16 to 25, to be held in Canberra in May 2017. The program includes a two-day simulated parliament in the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House where participants will debate issues of importance to their communities.

Images are available the the Media image library - National Indigenous Youth Parliament.