Commonwealth Youth Parliament: Blog Post
States Assembly
9 September 2026
Sophia O'Sullivan shares her experience of attending the Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Sydney, Australia. The Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP), a flagship programme of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), brings together young people from across the Commonwealth to experience the realities of parliamentary life. This year, I had the privilege of taking part in the programme at the New South Wales Parliament in Sydney, Australia. A week that blended political learning, cultural immersion, and international collaboration in a way I will never forget.
Throughout the week, we stepped directly into the roles of party representatives within a simulated political environment. Caucus meetings, chamber debates, adjournment speeches, and amendment negotiations. Each activity offered a realistic insight into how parliamentary democracy operates under pressure. With the theme Democracy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, our discussions felt particularly timely and relevant.
Our first day began with an Aboriginal smoking ceremony, where we were invited to wave the smoke over ourselves like water, a gesture symbolising protection and respect while on Gadigal land. Witnessing Indigenous culture woven seamlessly into modern parliamentary practice was deeply moving, and it highlighted how tradition and governance can coexist with dignity and purpose.
From there, the pace intensified. We toured both chambers of the NSW Parliament, sailed across Sydney Harbour with mentors who were serving MPs, and held our first caucus meeting, where party roles were assigned. I was appointed spokesperson for Climate and Environment within the Liberty and Freedom crossbench party, a role that shaped much of my week. As we examined the AI draft bill, I argued for amendments that safeguarded environmental interests while still enabling innovation, a balance that proved both challenging and rewarding.
Throughout the event, we engaged in lively debates, navigated party politics, and learned how to build consensus across differing viewpoints. Question Time was a particular highlight as it was energetic, dramatic, and often humorous. Hearing my peers deliver speeches that were equal parts passionate and persuasive.
Midweek, we took part in a First Nations cultural immersion workshop. We made bracelets using traditional materials, decorated boomerangs with Aboriginal symbols, and listened to the Yidaki. These moments grounded the political intensity of the week in cultural understanding and respect.
We were also invited to Government House, where we were formally sworn in and had the honour of meeting Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, Governor of New South Wales. Later in the week, we visited the British Consulate, where I met Ed Kitts, Deputy Consul General. To be able to speak with such notable figures and hear their words of wisdom about leadership, diplomacy, and public service was an incredible privilege that added immense depth to the experience.
What stays with me most, however, is the vibrancy of the people I met. Every delegate brought curiosity, conviction, and an infectious enthusiasm that made each debate feel alive. Their willingness to engage so deeply elevated every discussion, making them so much more meaningful. Standing in places like Government House and the British Consulate, and learning from leaders such as Her Excellency and Ed Kitts, added a sense of gravity and privilege that I will carry with me for a long time.
This experience broadened my perspective, strengthened my confidence, and reaffirmed why youth voices matter.
