Jessica Timmo (right) with Jo Luxton at Parliament. Photo supplied.Ashburton’s Jessica Timmo has had her first look into the halls of power at Wellington as she gears up for Youth Parliament this month.

The 17-year-old Ashburton College student is Labour List MP based in Rangitata Jo Luxton’s Youth MP, one of 120 teenagers cho-sen by MPs in electorates from throughout New Zealand.

The Youth MPs will descend on the capital from July 16 to 17 for Youth Parliament 2019.

Jessica said it was an amazing experience to visit Parliament for a sneak peek last week, courtesy of Luxton.

She even got to see two of her idols, Green MP Chloe Swarbrick and Labour MP Tamati Coffey, in action.

Youth MPs will not only gain an insight into the lives of MPs, but also get the opportunity to be heard on issues they are passionate about.

For Timmo, this is mental health.

“Within the organisations and committees I involve myself in, I am constantly pushing for services and opportunities to be available for our young people of today,” she said.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 8 July 2019