More than 1 in 5 Australians are aged 12-25. Young people face a future of insecure work and housing. Economists warn young people are missing out on our country’s wealth – the first generation likely to have lower standards of living than their parents. Unfairly, some young people have even less opportunities, just because of their background or identity.
This is a big problem for everyone. We’ll rely on young people most to support our ageing population. If young people feel valued and connected to our community, we will all benefit.
Young people want to be heard on many issues, from tax and justice to marriage equality and climate change. But the Australian Government has removed all ways to hear from or engage with young people. We have no national youth strategy – a government plan to support young people. We have no funding for the youth peak body– young people’s voice in politics. And from 2017, they’ve even cancelled National Youth Week.
Together, we can change this. Ask the Prime Minister to show he values young people.
Tell him to give our young people their voice back!
The Australian Government must:
Appoint a Minister for Youth to engage with young people through a national youth strategy
Commit to a national voice for young people, like the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
Guarantee ongoing National Youth Week funding, and celebrate all young people’s contributions to our country.
