A new report aimed at giving young Australians a stronger voice in Government decision making was launched today by the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, at the University of Western Australia.
The YouthSpeak report captured the views of over 13,000 young people aged 12 to 24 from across Australia on issues that are important to them.
"YouthSpeak shows that young people want to help address a wide range of issues, and that they have an important contribution to make to the process of governance in Australia," Ms Ellis said.
The YouthSpeak report, conducted by the United Nations Youth Association (UNYA) and funded by the Australian Government, found that young people:
- care about the environment;
- want better access to health care services, especially youth specific services;
- want more public transport at a local level;
- want support to educate peers about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol;
- want the eligibility requirements for Youth Allowance to be reviewed; and
- want the inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to be addressed.
"The report has recommendations for governments at all levels to consider – from providing better local public transport; investing more in health and education; through to Australia’s engagement with international bodies," Ms Ellis said.
"YouthSpeak also urges young Australians to get active and involved in issues of concern to them, whether it is confronting bullying at school or taking practical steps to reduce their own carbon footprint.
"The YouthSpeak report has strengthened the youth voice in Australia and represents the beginning of a new conversation between the Government and young Australians.
"I will ensure the YouthSpeak report is brought to the attention of my ministerial colleagues and that it is fed into the development of the Australian Youth Forum."
The Australian Government is providing $8 million over four years to establish the Australian Youth Forum.