YAPA media release: 22 May 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
Youth Poverty Rages On
A report released today by the peak body for young people has called for a government inquiry into the poverty and disadvantage that is leaving far too many young people behind. The Youth Action and Policy Association (YAPA) study found that the multiple disadvantage experienced by some young people has not been solved despite the economic growth of the last decade.
“The study found that about 1 in 10 young people are experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage, such as economic and social exclusion, as well as disengagement”, said Association Policy Officer, John Ferguson.
Poverty measures only relate to income level, but what this study has shown is that disadvantage occurs in other areas, and it is just as debilitating.
“We now need government action on this issue, as this level of youth disadvantage is unacceptable. A government inquiry should be held to look at the causes and solutions to youth disadvantage,” said Mr Ferguson.
Apart from the findings on multiple disadvantage, other specific areas of disadvantage were found:
- 1 in 10 could not access mental health services, nor were able to access dental treatment
- 1 in 3 could not keep up with basic payments for services such as water, gas or electricity
- 1 in 3 had missed an important event because of a lack of available transport
- 1 in 20 did not have somewhere safe nor stable to live; for young parents, this ratio was 1 in 4
- 1 in 10 were deprived of basic psychological needs, such as the support of their family and a sense of belonging.
“The inquiry should look at the complexity of poverty and disadvantage, but it should also address some of these specific issues as well,” said Mr Ferguson.
“Basic infrastructure is obviously missing for these young people, especially housing options and transport. It is also pretty clear that more funding and better solutions are needed to improve youth access to dental services and mental health services.”
“Specific groups of young people also need more attention. Some young parents are deprived of basic essentials for living, while young people born overseas have higher levels of psychological deprivation.”
“Aboriginal young people and rural young people showed high levels of disengagement through lack of transport and an inability to access essential services.”
Copies of the report
www.yapa.org.au/yapa/policy/poverty.pdf (290 KB PDF)
Media contact
John Ferguson
0408 026 938
