Town of Bassendean: Minutes
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TOWN OF BASSENDEAN
MINUTES
BASSENDEAN YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT BASSENDEAN YOUTH SERVICES
CORNER WEST AND GUILDFORD ROADS, BASSENDEAN
ON TUESDAY, 11 AUGUST 2009 at 5.35PM
1.0 DECLARATION OF OPENING/ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS
Chris Hall volunteered to be Chairperson. He opened the meeting at 5.35pm and welcomed everyone.
2.0 ATTENDANCES, APOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Present
Chris Hall (Chairperson)
Michael Young
Matthew Pearson
Kris Bird
Jack Delany
Ashley Turner
Sam Lyall
Officers
Ayden Mackenzie, Youth Development Officer
Greg Neri, Manager Youth Services
Public
Five members of the public were in attendance.
3.0 DEPUTATIONS
Nil
4.0 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
4.1 Minutes of the Bassendean Youth Advisory Council held on 07 July 2009
COMMITTEE/OFFICER RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 4.1
MOVED Kris Bird, Seconded Jack Delany, that the minutes of the Bassendean Youth Advisory Council meeting held on 07 July 2009 be confirmed as a true record.
CARRIED
5.0 WORKSHOP TOPIC
5.1 Proposed changes to the Voting Age
The Youth Advisory Council discussed the Labor Party’s second white paper which would introduce non compulsory voting for 16 and 17 year olds. The YAC felt that 16 and 17 year olds were able to make informed and educated decisions. The YAC felt that by the age of 16 many young people had reached adulthood, had a lot of responsibilities, and had an interest in government through their education, employment and the environment.
The YAC felt the fact that the proposal was for non-compulsory would mean that only those young adults who wanted to have a say would do so.
It was felt that the change in policy would inspire young adults and allow them to get involved in politics at a Federal, State, and Local level.
The YAC discussed the idea of sending a letter to their State and Federal Elected Members showing their support to the change in voting age.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION – ITEM 5.1
MOVED Kris Bird, Seconded Michael Young, that the Youth Development Officer send a letter to the State and Federal Elected Members expressing the Bassendean Youth Advisory Council’s support in changing the voting age.
CARRIED
ACTION: Youth Development Officer Ayden Mackenzie to write a letter on behalf of the Bassendean Youth Advisory Council to Bassendean’s State and Federal Elected members expressing their support for the change in voting age.
5.2 Christian Rossiter ‘Right to Die’
The Youth Advisory Council discussed this landmark case before the WA Supreme Court. The YAC felt that in this situation, Mr Rossiter should be permitted to have his feeding tubes removed.
It was agreed that in this case that Mr Rossiter should be allowed to die, as he is of sound mind and can make an informed decision about what not being fed would mean.
The YAC discussed the differences between this case and the argument of euthanasia and felt there were many differences.
5.3 Winthrop Baptist College Expulsion
The Youth Advisory Council discussed the recent expulsion of 8 boys from Winthrop Baptist College.
The YAC felt that it may have been harsh of the school to expel the boys when the media had reported that they were left unsupervised.
It was suggested and agreed that if the school’s entry requirements meant that if drugs on school events and property were strictly forbidden, then the school had every right to expel the boys.
6.0 BUSINESS DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Nil.
7.0 REPORTS
Nil.
8.0 MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN
Nil.
9.0 announcements of notices of motion for the next meeting
Nil
10.0 confidential business
Nil
11.0 CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 7.18pm.
The next meeting is to be held on Tuesday, 1 September 2009 at Bassendean Youth Services, corner Guildford & West Roads, Bassendean, commencing at 5.30pm.
