Auckland young leader to put republic issue on Youth Parliament agenda

Auckland City Youth Councillor and Kings College student, Harry Lusk, representing Green MP Keith Locke at the New Zealand Youth Parliament, will be debating in favour of New Zealand becoming a republic.

“It’s an important issue for my generation. I find it bizarre that our present system precludes a New Zealander being be the head of the New Zealand state”.

Mr Lusk approached Keith Locke asking to be his youth MP because of a shared passion for the republic issue which, Mr Lusk says “is a very important identity issue for our country”.

“The idea that MPs should focus on ‘more important’ issues rather than the republic debate is nonsense,” says Mr Lusk. “It should not be pushed to the bottom of the agenda and it won’t be at Youth Parliament. I will be advancing this issue with my fellow Youth MPs”.

Mr Lusk believes that “young people in New Zealand should be able to aspire for the highest office of the land. At present, the closest a New Zealander could get to being the head of our own state is if a Kiwi woman manages to push Kate Middleton aside and marry Prince William!”

Youth Parliament, held every 3 years, is a national event where Youth MPs are selected by MPs to do their job for two days. Their roles include debating (and voting on) mock legislation in the chamber and participating in select committees.

The Youth Parliament event is being held on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 July 2010. Mr Lusk will be giving his speech during the General Debate at 1:30pm on Wednesday the 7th.

ENDS

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