Exciting times are on the horizon for Queensland’s migrant and refugee youth, thanks to the commitment of Access’ Multicultural Youth Council (MYQ). 

MyQ was recently invited to a roundtable discussion with State Ministers Stirling Hinchliffe and Cameron Dick at Queensland Parliament House to share their vision: to see MYQ expand across Queensland. 

Mary Harm, MYQ member and Queensland Youth Ambassador of MYAN Australia, shared an impassioned speech, asking the Government to let MYQ ‘share a seat at the table.’

“We had two asks for the State Government: better representation and resourcing,” said Mary, a Canadian-born young woman of Samoan and Chinese-Fijian descent.

“We would love to see more of MYQ in different areas. We see time and time again consultation happening with individuals who may be part of a community but are not very connected with their community.

“MYQ Council provides this point of difference, as we provide voices from a collective that is well-networked in the multicultural space.

“We are really hoping the Government will advocate for us to be in spaces where we aren’t represented, and to involve us in the decision making that affects migrant and refugee youth.”

Mary also said MYQ was in need of more funding from the State Government to reach out to youth in other regions of Queensland.

“We don’t have the resources to reach out to young people outside of the Logan area, who are in desperate need of a network such as MYQ,” she said.

“While we will continue to do the great advocacy work we are already doing, greater financial support and funding would help us make a greater impact and support many more young people.”

The Ministers shared how impressed they were with Mary and MYQ, and have already organised a future visit with the Deputy Director-General of Economic and Infrastructure Strategy from the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.

Keep your eyes peeled to see how MYQ will continue to advocate for the migrant and refugee youth of Queensland by visiting myq.org.au