Geraldine teen debates issues in Parliament

Youth Parliament has been no problem for a Geraldine teenager representing Waitaki’s MP.

Jackson Minnear, 19, looked completely at home in the corridors of Parliament this week, Jacqui Dean says.

He was selected by Dean earlier this year and represented her in Parliament on Tuesday and yesterday as part of 2019 Youth Parliament.

He joined about 140 young people in Wellington in a programme designed to give opportunities for them to be heard, and for Youth MPs to work on topics and issues they are passionate about.

‘‘The Youth Parliament is a wonderful way for young people to get a taste of politics and I was more than happy to vacate my seat in the debating chamber for Jackson as he debated a whole range of topical issues with other young people from around the country,’’ Dean said.

‘‘I thoroughly enjoyed sitting back and listening to him speak about electric vehicles and how the batteries could be made right here in our own backyard.

‘‘It was a refreshing take on the issue and he was articulate in getting his point across.’’

Dean said it is no mean feat for a teenager to deliver a speech in front of their peers, ‘‘a whole lot of MPs and parliamentary staff in such an imposing environment’’.

He spoke for three minutes on electric vehicles and what he sees as an opportunity for New Zealand.

Dean said Minnear represented the Waitaki electorate ‘‘with pride’’ and she hoped the experience spurred him on to think about a career in politics one day.