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LAKE Macquarie had a strong voice at the recent YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, with two local teenagers in attendance.
Toronto High School student Zoe Bunt and MacKillop College student Jessika Holgate both had their say at the event, which aims to give young people a voice in the running of the state.
The young MPs discussed a range of issues in Parliament House, ranging from education to corporate greed.
Coming from a family of cyclists, Jessika was particularly passionate about the issue of cyclist registration.
"I tried to reiterate that cyclist registration is not necessary," Jessika said.
"Youth unemployment was another big issue for me. The Central Coast has a youth unemployment rate of 28 per cent, so I advocated for more job opportunities for young people."
Zoe's major issues included youth homelessness and domestic violence.
"Domestic violence is a major issue in society and many people are unaware of its extent," Zoe said.
Being surrounded by other young people who were passionate about the same issues was a great experience, Zoe said.
"Having the opportunity to put my ideas out there and teach other people about things they're not aware of was really rewarding," she said.