Ms SPENCE (YUROKE): My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Youth, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide me with an update on how the Andrews Labor government is supporting young people in the Yuroke electorate. I am particularly interested to hear from the minister, given members of my 2019 Yuroke Youth Advisory Council recently met for the first time this year.

Since I was elected in 2014 the Yuroke Youth Advisory Council has met each year and provided me with an opportunity to hear the concerns and ideas of young adults across the electorate, focusing on issues within the local community as well as broader issues that impact on young people across the state. I look forward to sharing the minister’s response with members of this year’s advisory council, and I hope that the minister will be able to join us for a future meeting.

Response: 

I congratulate the Member for Yuroke for convening the 2019 Yuroke Youth Advisory Council as a platform for young people to express their views on issues that matter to her local community.

Governments play such a big role in the lives of young people. By growing our education and training system, supporting health and community services, by investing in public transport and creating jobs – the Andrews Labor Government is delivering for young Victorians.

Over the last four years we have almost doubled our investment in Youth programs. In Hume, this includes almost $0.5 million through the Engage! initative and $0.55 million through the Empower Youth initiative – giving more Yuroke young people a chance to participate in volunteering, mentoring and leadership activities and be supported to access education and employment.

Our Youth Policy: Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria reflects our commitment to giving young Victorians a voice in shaping the policies, programs and services that affect them – including through initiatives like the Victorian Youth Summit.

This year’s Youth Summit was attended by over 400 young people from across our state – including many who live, work or study in Yuroke – and enabled them to hear from experts and participate in workshops to discuss how government can support young Victorians to navigate the changing world of work.

I would be delighted to meet with the Yuroke Youth Advisory Council later this year and thank the Member for giving effect to genuine youth engagement in her community.

Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Youth