MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 14 May 2004

‘Youth Guarantee’ misses the Mark

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria welcomes Mark Latham’s focus on young people in his budget reply speech but is disappointed that Latham reinforces age-old stereotypes about young people ‘sitting around doing nothing’.

‘This year, the federal budget contained little joy for young people. At least Latham tackles issues such as early school leaving, youth unemployment and the high cost of education’ said Georgie Ferrari, Executive Officer. ‘But Latham’s views about young people are decades out of date’.

Mark Latham announced a Youth Guarantee in his budget reply speech last night. The Guarantee gives young people two options: learning or earning. Latham says there will be ‘no third option of sitting around doing nothing’.

‘Has Mark chatted to any young people recently? He seems unaware that current policies don’t allow young people to sit around doing nothing. If they’re not studying or working, young people are typically undertaking rigorous activity tests in order to receive income support and they are penalised if they fail to do so. The stereotypical ‘dole bludger’ no longer exists Mark’ said Ms Ferrari.

‘Young people are not a ‘lost generation’. They’re out there actively participating in society. Latham fails to recognise that economic activity is just one form of participation. Many young people contribute to their communities through voluntary work and caring responsibilities for example and they deserve recognition for this’.

YACVic welcomes the commitment to create new apprenticeships and TAFE places for young people and the promise to abolish TAFE fees for secondary school students. ‘This will assist young people in gaining access to educational opportunities’, Ms Ferrari says.

‘But where is the commitment to job creation? You can’t create the expectation that study will lead to fulfilling work opportunities without simultaneously tackling labour market issues’.

Ms Ferrari said ‘we also need policies that address the low rates of pay for young people and the increasing casualisation of work which does not provide long-term opportunities for young people. Young people tell us about their experiences of poor or non-existent pay, unpaid work trials, harassment and lack of meaningful or sustained work. It is important that these issues are addressed to ensure young people are not discouraged from seeking further employment opportunities’.

‘Mark Latham reinforces the issue of mutual obligation in his speech. It’s time that mutual obligation really was mutual. Polices must emphasise the responsibility of government, industry and the broader community to generate new, permanent, meaningful jobs.’

‘It’s great to see young people on the agenda. But let’s make sure youth policy is informed and hits the mark rather than simply scapegoating young people’.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria is the peak body and leading policy advocate for youth issues in Victoria. We have a membership of around 500 organisations and individuals.

For more information contact
Georgie Ferrari
Executive Officer
Mob: 0411 484 428

Michelle Blanchard
Young Media Spokesperson