The Federal Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, today urged youth leaders to work together to achieve positive social change in Australia.
Speaking at the Oaktree Foundation’s annual ACT Leaders of Change conference, Ms Ellis encouraged delegates to inspire and challenge one another and explore new ways of dealing with long-standing problems like poverty, homelessness and environmental change—both in Australia and globally.
"The Australian Government is committed to youth participation at the highest levels in our nation’s policy making process," said Ms Ellis.
"For far too long young Australians have not been encouraged or empowered to speak up and take their rightful place in public life.
"We have a lot of complex challenges facing us, and to solve them we will need to engage the full range of talents and perspectives that we have available to us in Australia—and that includes young people."
Ms Ellis said the Australian Government has made it clear that it wants young people "at the table", and has committed $8 million over four years to establish the Australian Youth Forum.
The forum will be a link between the Government and young people, including youth policy specialists and the youth sector. It will support and encourage young Australians to contribute to Government policy development and decision making.
"Young people don’t want to have to ‘wait their turn’ before speaking up and having a say on issues of concern to them and the wider community, and nor should they," Ms Ellis said.
"You all have unique talents, experiences and perspectives, and by bringing them to the table and discussing them in forums like this, you contribute to building a better future for all Australians."