Youth News

Have your say in the nationwide conversation on a national strategy for young Australians

On Thursday 22 October, the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, launched the start of national conversations about a national strategy for young Australians.

This has been described as an  important opportunity for 'young people, the youth sector and the community to help shape the government's National Strategy for Young Australians through online events, local and national forums and face-to-face discussions'.

Make your contribution to the national conversation before 19 November 2009.
To see how to have your say, visit: http://www.youth.gov.au/ayf/Ideas/DiscussionForum.aspx?TopicID=21

The State of Australia's young people: A report on the social, economic, health and family lives of young people

The State of Australia's young people: A report on the social, economic, health and family lives of young people, was released in late October 2009.

The findings of the wide-ranging report include:

• Nine out of ten 17-year-olds use a mobile phone;
• Nine out of ten families have an Internet connection;
• Almost a quarter of young people feel unsafe walking alone at night;
• Young people are more likely to be the victim of a crime but less likely to report it;
• Of all age groups, those aged 15 - 19 have the highest hospitalisation rate for acute intoxication;
• One in five 16-year-olds have used illicit drugs;
• One in three sexually active young people report experiencing unwanted sex;
• One in four young people live with mental illness.  

The State of Australia's young people shows that some young people are at greater risk of falling behind than others, particularly those who are Indigenous, from a low socioeconomic background, aren't studying or working, and those who have a disability.

The report drew information from national data sources over the past five years, existing literature, interviews and focus groups with young people and people in the youth sector. Launching the report, Minister Kate Ellis said, 'Focusing on improving the lives of young Australians delivers great social, economic and community benefits and means a happier and healthier country into the future'.

The full report can be accessed via: http://www.youth.gov.au/Documents/YoungPeopleReport.pdf

The Ministerial Media Release can be found at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_091022_081047.aspx