Page 2575 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 24 August 1993
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The national youth policy, which was agreed upon by all Ministers present, is an important document which establishes a framework for improving coordination, consultation and cooperation in policy development and service delivery in youth affairs across Australia. I believe that it is worth noting that the ACT has been closely involved in the development of the policy through its representation on a working party which has developed and refined the document between meetings of the youth Ministers. Significantly, this policy has also been developed after considerable consultation with a wide range of community and government organisations and with interested individuals.
Nationally, the response to the policy has been very encouraging, and in the ACT in particular the policy was received favourably by a range of agencies when it was distributed for comment. The national youth policy is significant in that it encourages a holistic approach to youth affairs which is based on cooperation between all levels of the government and non-government sectors. I believe that in taking this approach the policy addresses in a comprehensive and integrated manner the major concerns and issues facing young people. The policy is also based on a recognition of the challenges facing young people and on an acknowledgment that young people require a supportive and informative environment which encourages them to reach their full potential as individuals and active citizens. In addition, the policy is based on the important principles of social justice and, of course, in this respect is fully supported by this Government.
The national objectives outlined in the policy focus on a number of areas, including the importance of consultation with young people to ensure their ongoing participation in the community and in decision making processes, and the role and responsibilities of each level of government in providing assistance and opportunities to young people. The policy also confronts issues such as the provision of additional assistance to disadvantaged young people and the education, employment, health, housing, transport, recreational and income support needs of young people. It also deals with the just treatment of young people by our legal system. Importantly, the policy also acknowledges as an objective the enhancement of support to families to assist them to cope better with economic and social change and, in so doing, seek to protect young people from violence, neglect and discrimination.
In presenting the ACT report to the Youth Ministers Council meeting I was able to provide an account of the action which has been taken in the ACT in accordance with the national policy. Primarily, I was able to highlight the Government's initiatives in a number of areas, including its initiatives under the youth services grants program. This has involved the development of new service agreements with youth organisations which provide a greater degree of accountability and targeting of programs. The Government has also taken a number of steps to deal with youth unemployment and, in particular, has initiated and broadened such programs as the ACT Youth Conservation Corps, the venture and development assistance program, the ACT Jobskills program and the employment and training grants program. All are designed to provide additional support and choice for young people in pursuing training and employment options.
At the council meeting I was also able to restate this Government's commitment to ensuring that our most disadvantaged young people are not alienated by our education system. This has meant ensuring that a safety net of services is provided for young people and that positive steps are taken through education
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