The year 11 student has just been selected to represent the South Coast in the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament 2014 and is looking forward to the challenge. 

The prestigious annual forum for young people aims to teach them about advocacy, leadership skills and parliamentary and legal process. 

Jacob is no stranger to politics having participated in the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience campaign last year when students were asked to prepare a speech as if they were the first indigenous Prime Minister of Australia. 

Jacob ranked fifth in the overall competition out of 700 students nationwide. 

He is also involved in the Shoalhaven Youth Advisory Committee and advising council on issues to do with youth in the local community.

The Youth Parliament will give Jacob the opportunity to represent the young people of the Shoalhaven, advising NSW politicians and decision-makers on matters that affect young people. 

At the top of Jacob’s agenda for the Shoalhaven is transport and biodiversity.

“For me the big issues for young people in this area are transport,” Jacob said. 

“A free bus service or better services and plans for a train in the future would be great for the young people.

“Also biodiversity and our usage of fossil fuels is a really important issue for me.” 

Jacob hopes to make his way to university to study law one day and sees a future in politics.

“The Youth Parliament will be great to represent the youth of the Shoalhaven who don’t have a voice,” he said.

“I think the more involved in a community you are the easier it is to get into politics.” 

The Youth Parliament will start from the April school holidays with a three day training camp during which students will develop leadership, public speaking, debating and teamwork skills.