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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1033 ..

MS DUNDAS (continuing):

National Youth Week, an annual feature of Australia's youth calendar, provides a platform to reach the 3.8 million young people aged 12 to 25 in every state and territory. National Youth Week is run for young people by young people. At the national level six youth representatives play a vital role in directing the shape and the success of National Youth Week. National Youth Week is coordinated by the Youth Bureau of the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services in collaboration with the departments responsible for youth affairs in all states and territories.

We have seen a number of activities across Canberra showcasing the art, talent and drive of young people. I had the pleasure of launching National Youth Tobacco Free Day yesterday. At the launch the Chief Minister announced an exciting health promotion initiative. I commend him and his government on this initiative.

Young people are often seen as going through a transition to adulthood. This transition period of adolescence is a fairly modern concept. In most previous societies a specific ceremony marked the change from child to adult. In modern society, however, growing up has extended. We are marrying and having children later. We are in education longer. We are being paid to work later. The responsibilities and the benefits of being a full functioning member of our community are being delayed for longer and longer.

I read with interest in the weekend Sydney Morning Herald that the age distinctions of only a generation ago have changed greatly. They started with age 60 being the new 50 and finished by saying that 30 is the new 20. A generation ago, by age 20 family formation, full-time work and home ownership were certainly on the agenda. This relied on a linear transition from school to work, and with work came full adulthood at an age in the late teens.

Now, with schooling for most students going through to age 17 and strong expectations for further education through universities, technical colleges or on-the-job training, education does not formally stop until the early 20s and, for many, lifelong learning means that education never stops.

The dramatic changes in the labour market over the past 20 years mean that a substantial group of young adults are finding it difficult to gain a foothold in adequately paid work. This has serious consequences for the economic wellbeing of individuals over their whole lifetime. The ability to accumulate income from full-time work to finance household formation and support children has fallen significantly for many young people. Government policies such as those which tie the level of unemployment benefits and student financial assistance to parental income reinforce this extended period of dependency.

Policy-makers and community leaders have to recognise that this is a massive social change and that the life cycle has changed. Think of this change next time you ask teenage children to go and get a real job. Think of this change and remember that although the youth of today are doing different things in their leisure activities some things do not change.

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