Page 1683 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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enough of our young people are engaged in the political process. I refer to those who are are often the most passionate and who are just brilliant to have around. Unfortunately, however, I think you still see a disengagement right across the community, but perhaps more so amongst some of our young people.
Therefore, it is important that we find ways of engaging them in our political processes and in gaining an understanding of how our community functions. It is important to find ways to draw young people into the life of our community in the future. This is part of the job of National Youth Week. We certainly support the intention behind Ms Hunter’s motion. We will therefore support it and support Mr Coe’s amendment. We will not be supporting Mr Barr’s amendment.
Mr Barr’s amendment negatived.
MR COE (Ginninderra) (3.55), by leave: I move:
Add new paragraph (3):
“(3) calls on the Government to adequately consult with concerned individuals and organisations and release the report by 31 December 2009.”.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Planning and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (3.55): I do not have a major problem in agreeing to the amendment. It is ostensibly the same as the amendment we have just voted down in terms of the time frame for delivery of the report. In fact, it probably gives me a little more time than I was—
Mr Coe: Without the spin.
MR BARR: What spin? My amendment stated “that new plan will be released in December 2009” versus Mr Coe’s amendment stating “calls on the Government to … release the report by 31 December 2009”. Talk about spin; I mean, all this is about is the use of the word “note” versus the word “calls”. It is about whether you get to put out a press release that you called on the government. I mean, seriously, that is all it is.
The only other thing I would point out is that I intend to consult with more than just “concerned individuals”. I will consult with all. I will go beyond that, Madam Assistant Speaker. However, I do want to acknowledge a point that Mr Coe raised. It is that there is no point trying to have a general statement about what youth in Canberra think.
If anything, too much of youth policy has been hijacked by particular narrow focus groups, and there is no doubt that a broadening of youth policy in the territory will be the direction that I will outline tomorrow in my ministerial statement. I am sure you all look forward to that.
Mr Coe’s amendment to Ms Hunter’s motion agreed to.
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