from YAPRap February 2006
by Rey Reodica, Young Spokesperson, Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC)
Young Australians are the big losers in the Prime Minister's recent ministerial reshuffle. Whilst the reshuffle was anticipated to usher in a more youthful front bench, Prime Minister Howard has dropped Children and Youth Affairs portfolio from his Government altogether.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC), the nation's non-government youth affairs peak, has renewed calls on the Howard Government to stop turning their backs on young people.
AYAC itself receives no federal funding to research and speak up on issues of importance to young people, after the Howard Government ended decades of support and funding for a national youth affairs peak in 1998. Then in 2004, the Children and Youth Affairs portfolio was downgraded from a Ministerial role to a Parliamentary Secretary. A year later, the size of the National Youth Roundtable - described by the government as the centerpiece of its youth consultation strategy - was halved.
As difficult as it is to speak out on youth affairs without funding, AYAC says it is clear that Howard's reshuffle means young people must again question who in the Government is actually there to listen. The young people of Australia have no specific representative in their Government to hear their needs and concerns.
Youth issues are diverse and in need of particular focus and attention. Mr Howard appears to have forgotten that his Government's policies on issues such as education and employment affect the lives of young people in distinct ways.
The interests of young people cannot simply be placed with issues such as family and community services and expected to be given a fair go. Young Australians have a right to fair representation by their Government and this reshuffle is a huge failure in this regard.
AYAC has renewed calls for the Howard Government to take a greater interest in the wellbeing of young people by fully funding a national youth affairs peak and reappointing a Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
Note: Opinions expressed are the author's and not necessarily YAPA's.
