Page 1535 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 May 1990
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Mr Speaker, the needs of young people with drug and alcohol problems, with psychiatric and behavioural problems, as well as the special needs of young pregnant women and young mothers are of concern to the Government. We acknowledge the importance of working closely with the whole community in addressing these needs. The Burdekin report identified that lack of employment and skills for gaining employment compounds the problems which face many at-risk young people. Young people who do not have family support and who are unable to secure an income sufficient to support themselves are most vulnerable. Those who have been unsuccessful, sadly, in the school system and who may have low literacy and numeracy skills and low self-esteem are also disadvantaged.
Mr Speaker, the likelihood of participation in illegal activities such as petty crime is high and the costs of patterns developing are great to the young person and the community. Our commitment to the development of a youth employment strategy is a response to these findings. Careful coordination with Commonwealth Government initiatives to assist disadvantaged young people to become job ready is essential. Our ACT private sector will be able to assist through providing work experience and job opportunities.
Shortly after coming to government, we announced a package of community grants. Youth needs were seen as a priority, and significant extra funds, over and above recurrent funding, were granted for some services for young people. The equivalent of four new youth worker positions were funded, as well as a soup kitchen project based in one of the four youth centres. That is in Civic.
Mr Speaker, this snapshot view of ACT Government action is part of the overall panorama of services, assistance and support which we either provide or fund. Our aim is to most effectively and efficiently build a continuum of community support at a time when resourcing is tight.
The Burdekin report has given governments a lot to think about. The costs of not responding are great. Some of these costs are social and, in human terms, tragic. However, there are also serious economic costs to be faced if action is delayed - the costs of crime, the costs to the health system of AIDS, drug dependency, long-term ill-health caused by neglect and malnourishment, and the costs of productivity loss through long-term or lifetime unemployment.
Mr Speaker, the ACT is not exempt from these realities and, for the ACT Alliance Government, continued commitment and action are an imperative. Gaps in service do exist in some difficult areas, and we must find the means to address these wherever resources permit. Careful planning and some reordering of priorities are essential to ensure the most effective and equitable outcomes from the already substantial financial commitment made to services for our ACT community.
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