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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (26 June) . . Page.. 2248 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

Mr Speaker, in this area, I think we have done some things that needed to be done. We have introduced mandatory reporting; established a youth strategy; and established, I think, a very good rapport with the youth community and, especially, kids who access a lot of the youth services. If you look at the youth strategy, you will see how many services there are. I have personally visited all the youth centres, met a lot of the young people there, and enjoyed a few games of pool with them and a bit of a chinwag. It has been very good.

There is one thing which I will conclude on, Mr Speaker, which our youth in Australia - and the ACT is no different - I think really want to have portrayed, and that is what events like Youth Week do. They are sick and tired of the negatives. The vast majority of our youth are highly skilled, level-headed, sensible young people. Most of those who have some problems are going to be put back on the track, and we have a lot of systems in place to help them. I think the youth of the ACT and the youth of Australia generally want to see a positive image portrayed of them. I am pleased that at the last Youth Ministers meeting, which was just before the Education Ministers meeting, one of the two main points that came out Australia-wide was that kids want a positive image portrayed of youth. The media might sensationalise the negatives. The negatives relate only to a very few youth. The vast majority are not in need of special assistance even, and they want a positive image. I think things like the Rock Eisteddfod, which Mrs Littlewood went to, indicate the great skills our young people have. Some of the events of Youth Week do that, too. On that positive note - and I think it is important to have a positive note in this area, Mr Speaker - I will close.

Proposed expenditure agreed to.

Proposed expenditure - Department of Education and Training, $444,925,800 (comprising net cost of outputs, $334,016,500; capital injection, $5,922,000; and payments on behalf of Territory, $104,987,300) - agreed to.

Part 18 - Treasurer's Advance

Proposed expenditure - Treasurer's Advance, $13,100,000 (comprising capital injection, $13,100,000) - agreed to.

Remainder of Bill, by leave, taken as a whole

MRS CARNELL (Chief Minister and Treasurer) (6.41): May I close the debate?

MR SPEAKER: Yes.

MRS CARNELL: Thank you very much.

Mr Berry: I will give you your last chance to convince us.

MRS CARNELL: Mr Speaker, I do not expect to convince those opposite - - -

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