ARHAMAH HAIDER

Arhamah Haider, 17, based in the Mackay–Whitsunday region of Queensland, is an internationally recognised youth advocate, legal stakeholder, and emerging policy leader. In 2024, she became the youngest Minister in the Queensland Youth Parliament, where she drafted legislation to improve disaster recovery for disadvantaged communities. Arhamah now serves as the 2025 Youth Member for Burdekin, mentoring first-year youth members and contributing to state-level debates on youth justice, education, and women’s safety.

Beyond parliament, Arhamah is the co-founder of The Gratitude Initiative, a youth-led organisation supporting women and children in crisis through volunteer networks and published resources such as Chapters of Change, distributed to hospitals and shelters across Australia. Her advocacy has earned her major honours including the Zonta Young Woman in Leadership Award and the Just Saying Project Rising Star Award.

Internationally, she has represented Australia as a UN Youth Australian Ambassador and was awarded Best Delegate at the UN Youth Aotearoa International Conference in New Zealand. Arhamah is also completing Harvard University’s renowned Justice course with Professor Michael Sandel, deepening her understanding of legal ethics, civic responsibility, and public policy.

– See the APS Queensland Finalists compete for the crown of APS ‘25 Queensland State Final Champion at the 2025 Queensland APS State Final on 16 October at Queensland Multicultural Centre.