Page 1682 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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(b) produce an updated ACT Young People’s plan in order to provide a framework for the implementation of adequate and appropriate youth-centred and youth-oriented policy, services and programs across the whole of Government.
I would have thought that they are quite reasonable words, and we have no problem supporting them. Mr Coe’s amendment, which will be moved later, just clarifies and calls on the government to adequately consult with concerned individuals and organisations and to release the report by the end of this year.
Those of us who had the opportunity to attend the launch of Youth Week last Friday enjoyed some excellent entertainment. What was most enjoyable was seeing some of the young people at the launch and their efforts. We saw Daisy Sanders who, in fact, was the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year. It was wonderful to see her response to that award and the wonderful joy she had in receiving it.
The long list of activities and achievements that she is engaged in is quite extraordinary for someone who, I think, is 18 years old. She was dux of her class and also found time for numerous extracurricular activities throughout her time at school. This is a very impressive young lady and I think everyone who was there, not only hearing her resume but also seeing her accept the award, was particularly impressed.
We also saw Kyle Knowles get the encouragement award. In fact, I think Kyle Knowles went up twice. I think he got the encouragement award for being a volunteer martial arts instructor, but I am sure he was part of another group that came up later for another award; so he did very, very well.
Reg Hodges got the personal achievement award. Reg Hodges is a Torres Strait Islander who has overcome issues relating to his disability. His response was also quite beautiful. He was genuinely chuffed to be receiving the award that he got. The group award went to 15 young people who run the YWCA Mura Lanyon Youth Committee, which organises social events and information nights for the community.
I would like to take the opportunity in speaking in support of the motion to congratulate those who organised all of the Youth Week activities, but particularly the opening that we went to, and I congratulate those who received the awards. No doubt what we see there is a lot of work that is done behind the scenes by these people, and they are nominated amongst their peers and amongst, no doubt, some very impressive other people who miss out on the final awards. On behalf of the opposition, we certainly congratulate them. We believe very much in the importance of helping young people reach their potential, and I think that what Mr Coe added to the debate is important to remember. We cannot box young people into any one particular group.
Our young people in the ACT come from all walks of life and they undertake various different things. We need to find ways of supporting disadvantaged youth, but we also need to find ways of encouraging young people to engage in our community. There are many reasons why young people do not engage in our community.
I know we have debates about this in this place. I know that the previous Greens member raised the issue of engagement in the political process. I think that still not
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