In November last year council attempted to abolish children from speaking on the floor of the council chambers. The matter was deferred pending a submission period.

Councillors decided to abandon the plan following 66 submissions against the amendments to the Code of Meeting Practise which would have stopped youth speaking in the public participation (PP) held at the ordinary council meetings.

“Little voices worth hearing” were the words Shellharbour resident Don Briggs used to describe the participation of youth in local councils before the move was officially over turned by councillors.

Councillor John Murray said he had heard the public through their submissions and remove the restriction from the meeting policy.

“If young people want to speak on an issue in council that’s great, but I just worry about politicising a child,” he said. 

Councillor Kellie Marsh welcomed the change of heart but said it should not have never gotten this far.

“This was about age discrimination,” she said.

Mayor Marianne Saliba said PP was just one forum where children could air their feelings about local council issues and people under 18 would be treated in the same way as adults in PP.

“If they say something inappropriate they will be called to order like any other person, that is a decision of the parents who allow their children to come into the chamber and speak.”