TWO young people from the New England region have been inducted as members of NSW's first Regional Youth Taskforce, which will have a voice in state government.
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Armidale's Laura Murray and Tamworth's Ryan Dwight are among 18 members who will be "able to champion causes big and small that matter to their peers".
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall caught up with the 22-year-old Armidale student during the Taskforce's first meeting in Sydney over the weekend, where attendees discussed the key issues facing young people in rural and regional NSW.
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"The Youth Taskforce has been established to support the NSW Government's efforts to improve outcomes for regional youth and I'm glad our region has such a strong advocate in Laura," Mr Marshall said.
"Laura is an incredibly active member of the community through her role as Deputy Chair of the Armidale Regional Youth Advisory Committee and Youth Participation Co-ordinator at Headspace Armidale.
"It was a pleasure to meet Laura and the other sixteen participants and hear from them about the causes that they want to champion as members of this group."
Mr Marshall said as someone who entered local government at the age of 19 he would have loved to have a similar opportunity.
"There are not enough avenues in for young people rural NSW to express their views on the issues which impact them," Mr Marshall said.
"The government needs to hear from our young leaders exactly what reasons are causing them to relocate to metropolitan areas so it can work to fill those service gaps.
"The survival and prosperity of our regional towns relies on the young people of today and so it makes sense to give those people a voice at the highest levels of government."
The students were chosen from a pool of 300 applicants and will provide advice to Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor, government agencies and the Office of Regional Youth.
The taskforce will meet twice a year in person and twice a year via video conference.
Mrs Taylor said she was "eager" to hear more from the participants.
"The survival and prosperity of our regional towns relies on the teenagers and young adults of today, so it makes sense to give those people a voice at the highest level of government."
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said two people from each of NSW's nine regional zones had been selected.
"This is an amazing group of young people with diverse backgrounds who are united by their desire to improve life for their peers, from country to coast," Mr Barilaro said.
"It's a big responsibility, but I am confident that every single young person chosen is committed to the task, and I want each of them to know they have the support and backing of myself and the NSW government."