Letter to The Editor
The Age
By email: letters@theage.com.au

Tuesday, 31 January 2006

Loss of Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth

Dear Sir

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria is very concerned at the Federal Government’s recent move to abolish the role of a Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth.

This is the second blow that Australia’s young people have suffered under the current government, the first being the downgrading of the Ministry to a portfolio within FACS in 2004.

Who now will be the advocate for youth issues at the cabinet table and what assurances can be given that six million young Australians will not be worse off with no direct representative at a Federal level?

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.

We see this decision as a backward step for the Federal Government and very disappointing for young people and youth organisations right across Australia.

Yours sincerely

Georgie Ferrari

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

Cheryl Naik
Young Media Spokesperson