Australian Democrats' youth poll is political grandstanding

28/8/98

Youth Minister Mike Board today dismissed an Australian Democrats' youth poll as political grandstanding at the expense of real communication on issues critical to Australia's young people.

The Minister, in the South-West for meetings with youth groups, said one solitary annual poll, with politically loaded questions, was a very poor attempt to communicate effectively with young people in a rapidly changing social landscape.

"The Western Australian Government is actually finding out exactly what young people feel they need and delivering the services required in the best possible fashion," Mr Board said.

"That's lot more meaningful than a once-a-year straw poll publicity stunt."

The Minister said regular and easily accessible forums with youth were the only way governments could be sure that the required services were being delivered appropriately to young people.

"Our young people are empowered by Youth Advisory Councils (YACs), which meet at least once a month and have direct input to me on youth policies," he said.

"There are now 32 YACs across the State and we hope that 70 will be established by the New Year. Young people, who truly represent their peers, run these councils and they impact on policy decisions with a genuine mandate from all WA youth."

Mr Board said the Democrats' poll had limited young people's opportunity to have their say by forcing them to respond to almost all questions by ticking numbered boxes. There had been little opportunity for respondents to express their views in their own words.

He said the WA Government had just released Youth Voices - a comprehensive consultation with young people conducted through 36 forums in all corners of the State. This consultation had allowed young people to express their views in their own words.

The Minister said the establishment of Youth Co-ordination Networks, which brought together Federal, State and local government services in a co-ordinated and complementary manner, was also enhancing delivery of Government services for youth.

"I have met with the South-West Youth Co-ordination Network today and they have shown me that a homogenous approach by Government is more effective, more economical and more satisfying for young people."

Earlier this week,Mr Board launched the WA Youth Awards Showcase - a State-wide initiative to recognise and reward young people's achievements and their contributions to the community.

"This showcase is a direct response by Government to concerns raised by young people, in youth forums across WA, that they wanted to have a more positive image in the media and a better standing in the community," he said.

"These awards will recognise many ordinary young Western Australians, not just the high achievers, for the often unheralded contributions they make towards improving the community for all of us."

Media contact: Jody Robb 08-9222 9211