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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 5 Hansard (8 May) . . Page.. 1337 ..

MRS CROSS (continuing):

them, a complete education is the key to breaking a destructive cycle that will rob them of many of life's opportunities and much of life's enjoyment.

A detailed look at other youth issues such as illicit drug use and suicide also indicates a number of common denominators. Once again, a completed secondary education is a key prevention component. In recent years across Australia, the response by government has changed from just treating the symptoms of community problems to focusing more on early intervention and prevention.

The Australian Institute of Criminology has studied and reported on the value of early intervention programs in the United States. Their research shows that early intervention can return up to $11 in benefits for every $1 spent on programs targeted to help young people gain a good education and settle into the work force. The institute also estimates that the cost of criminal events in Australia is between $11 billion and $13 billion each year. The cost of illicit drug use to the community is about $2 billion.

Prevention comes in various forms, shapes and sizes, but one of the most overlooked yet most basic and most effective areas is equipping our young people with an education suited to their individual needs-one that provides appropriate knowledge and life skills. Not always, but on most occasions, that will mean retaining students to the end of college.

Canberra has the highest retention rate and the highest quality of education in Australia. It is no accident that we also have the lowest youth unemployment rate, the lowest youth suicide rate and a juvenile crime rate below the national average.

On a final point, I note in a report recently released by the Chief Minister's Department, entitled Youth in the ACT: a social and demographic profile, a series of conclusions about the challenges facing Canberra's youth. Of the 20 points on the list, nine refer directly to education, five refer indirectly to education, three refer to mental health issues, and one refers to criminal behaviour. The report shows clearly how Canberra's youth compare very favourably with the rest of the nation and are well placed to adjust to expected changes in technology and the new economy in years to come.

It is clear that education outcomes are of vital importance to our young people. It is just as clear that our youth did well under the former Liberal government, despite Labor's best efforts to talk down our education system during last year's election. I note the education minister's comment that what my colleague Mr Pratt said was sour grapes. That is not the case.

The minister is attempting to bask in the glory of the former Liberal government's education efforts and successes, for which I applaud my colleague Mr Stefaniak, during our six years in government. Minister, enjoy it now. The honeymoon period is nearly over, and you will have to come up with some original ideas rather than repackaging Liberal ideas with Labor titles. I commend Mr Pratt's motion.

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