Children’s Party to help pre-teens step into political world
THE need to be heard has become official for a group of Melbourne kids who have established Australia’s first childled political party.
The Children’s Party is comprised of 12 kids, aged 9-12, and they have policies on marriage equality, gender equality, use of plastic bags and religious tolerance.
Member Mirai Sastradipradja-Pollock, 10, of St Kilda, is so inspired she is already thinking about a full-time career in politics.
Fellow member Rose Beattie, 12, of Fairfield is keen for adult politicians to think more about the 20 per cent of Australians under the age of 18.
“I really worry about plastic bags. In Fairfield there is a ban on them so we all know to bring our own bag when we shop or buy a paper bag,” she said.
Members are also passionate about marriage equality.
“People should be able to marry who they love. It’s horrible to think they can’t,” Rose said.
The Children’s Party convention, at 4pm at Arts House in North Melbourne on September 24, is the first step for the party to attract attention. They hope to collect the 500 signatures needed to register as an official political party.
The group is being co-ordinated by Alex Walker, a teacher at House of Muchness drama school, which uses arts for kids to express their ideas.