MEDIA RELEASE

May 31 2006

State Budget Remembers Victoria’s Young People

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria has welcomed the 2006 State Budget, with its many initiatives for young Victorians.

“This is a budget that delivers in many areas for Victoria’s youth population” YACVic Executive Officer, Georgie Ferrari said today.

YACVic is very pleased with the announcement of $10m for youth transition workers to assist young people from school into employment, education or training. “This money will go to the areas of Victoria where it is needed most, where there are high rates of youth unemployment and low school retention rates” Ms Ferrari said.

YACVic also welcomes the $500 trades bonus that aims to address the first year drop out rates in apprenticeships.

New youth mental health money has been provided for the establishment of three early psychosis services for young people as this is sorely needed.

The announcement of further money into youth housing and homelessness initiatives is also very welcome.

A $20m service to assist young people entering and leaving out-of-home care is a much-needed initiative.

The Council also welcomes the significant investment to address the issue of young people with disabilities in nursing homes.

“The $2.6m expansion of the Youth Referral and Independent Person Program to support young people in police interviews where a parent or guardian can not be present is a real boost for young Victorians, ensuring equitable access to justice for all”, Ms Ferrari said.

More broadly young people will also benefit from other budget initiatives announced today, in particular transport, urban fringe and education infrastructure spending will have positive impacts for young people in years to come.

YACVic is pleased that Koori young people receive some focus in the budget through the commitment to establish a youth alcohol and drug healing centre and other spending on services. However, investment in Koori families and communities needs to be ongoing and more substantial to expect any real alleviation of disadvantage.

YACVic is cautious of an announcement to target and clean up graffiti. “We hope the State Government is able to discern between what is vandalism and what is genuine graffiti art and that this initiative won’t target the rich and diverse graffiti art that Melbourne has to offer.”

While this budget is very positive for young people, it is important not to forget the sector that supports them. The Community Services Sector is currently in wrangling with the Department of Human Services to negotiate an increase in funding levels. “This budget fails to address issues of sustainability within community services, that is disappointing” Ms Ferrari said.

For media contact

Georgie Ferrari
Executive Officer
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
Ph: 9267 3711 or 0411 484 428