Keely attended a training camp last April where she opted for the rural and regional affairs committee to work on a range of topical bills. There she also learned parliament etiquette (including dress code) and the process of parliamentary debate.

This was just a taste of things to come with a full-on week of parliamentary experience last month with four days werespent at Parliament House itself. There Keely had the opportunity to present her bills for debate on the floor of parliament, primarily that payroll tax be reduced in rural and regional areas.

She said it was designed to provide an economic boost to rural towns, and to give businesses and small industry an incentive to set up in more remote locations by offering lower operating costs.

The second bill presented by her committee proposed that no new coal seam gas mining licenses be approved, although existing ones would be unaffected.

“It was all about supporting the farmer,” Keely said.

Both bills were passed by the mock Legislative Council but not by the Legislative Assembly, which was due primarily to a lack of understanding of the intracacies of the bills, Keely believes.

Keely spent another day assuming the title of Regional Minister for Northern NSW, giving her the opportunity to deliver a speech highlighting the issues she feels affect this region. These include opportunities for youth, education, unemployment, poor infrastructure, lack of industry, limited social opportunities and geographic isolation.

Keely said she was very pleased to have local member of parliament Thomas George on hand, chairing the debate in the earlier sessions and in the chamber as she presented her speech.

She also visited Parliament House and meet Governor David Hurley and other luminaries, and come away with a greater appreciation of how state government works.

While she doesn’t foresee a career in politics she is keen to continue advocating for her community. She also wants to encourage other students to participate in Youth Parliament as Josie McIntyre did for her.  Any students in years 7-9 interested in attending Junior Parliament during the September holidays can see her for more information.