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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (11 April) . . Page.. 1045 ..

MR CORBELL: The Stanhope government recognises the role and contributions of young people to providing various opportunities and events like National Youth Week. Last Sunday I announced the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year, Jonathon Lovell, whose contributions are an example of those made by young people every day and in every way in Canberra. We received a range of nominations for this award, which highlighted the fact that every day many young people make valuable contributions from which the wider community benefit.

Tomorrow I will be announcing key initiatives which highlight the important emphasis the Stanhope government places on youth in Canberra. I will also be identifying what we believe are priority areas for young people and how best to reflect them in policy.

As I have stated on other occasions since taking on the role of Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, this government has its focus on the improvement of participation and inclusion for all young people. Participation and inclusion in education, employment and recreational activities is a basic need of all young people.

Beyond this it is also important to include young people in decision-making and in influencing government policy direction. I have been impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the young people who are members of my Ministerial Youth Advisory Council. The quality of advice and support I have received to date from that body has been important and significant and appreciated by me. One of the initiatives I will be announcing tomorrow will significantly extend the youth advisory arrangements of the previous government.

Concepts of inclusion and participation do not happen without commitment and action, including the allocation of resources. The provision of a range of accessible opportunities is an integral element of enabling young people to be heard and to take action on issues important to them. This is particularly important for young people who have experienced disadvantage and who sometimes do not have strong connections with their families or the broader community. These young people have a range of strengths and may make many contributions to the community that are all too frequently overlooked.

Of course, a large number of young people are students in our schools and tertiary institutions. The role of young people in government schools has been a key focus of the government for many years. Our secondary schools have student representatives on their school boards, and in some schools student representatives have been elected as board chair. Student representative councils made up of students elected by their peers are another key factor for secondary school students.

In 1995 the government schools student network was formed with the support of the Department of Education and Community Services. Officers in the department support meetings of four representatives from all secondary schools. The network has two main aims: encouraging students to develop their leadership skills and providing a support network from various schools to discuss common problems.

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