Launch of the Australian Youth Forum
2 October, 2008The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition congratulates the Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Youth, and the Rudd Government on its launch today of the Australian Youth Forum, the new federal youth engagement intiative, which replaces the National Youth Roundtable. This is the statement delivered by spokeperson Alan Wu at the launch:
Ten year's ago, the former government defunded Australia's national youth affairs peak, leaving young Australians without an independent and consistent voice to present their concerns and aspirations to the youth sector, the government and the broader Australian community. This move effectively left young Australians without a coherent and coordinated role in numerous discussions of national public policy - even those that had a direct and dramatic impact on us. In the last few years alone, young Australians have had a tough time being heard on some really big issues: plans for a new health and social services access card, changes to laws governing Australia's electoral roll, and dramatic reforms to Australia's industrial relations and higher education arrangements.
This changes today.
A decade on, this government's decision to establish the Australian Youth Forum, and importantly, to re-fund Australia's national youth affairs peak, represents not merely the realisation of an election promise, but also a recognition of the rights of young people to be heard on issues that mater to them, a response to the overwhelming support of the youth sector for greater sector development and a stronger voice in their government, and, most importantly, a genuine commitment to engaging meaningfully with young Australians in a variety of ways that are independent, accountable and inclusive.
And so it is with great excitement, gratitude and anticipation that the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, with members including each state and territory youth affairs peak, numerous national youth organisations and young people themselves, congratulates Minister Ellis and the Rudd Government on the establishment of the Australian Youth Forum. We look forward to working with you, the youth sector and young Australians across the country in advancing the wellbeing and fuller participation of young people in Australian society, in promoting collaborative work and sector development amongst community organisations that work with young people, and in ensuring that this is merely the first step in forging a better, fairer deal for young Australians.
AYAC welcomes the Australian Youth Forum
13 May, 2008The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) today welcomed the announcement of funding for the Australian Youth Forum (AYF) of $8 million over four years.
The announcement of this funding delivers on one of the Government's key election commitments for young people to re-establish a peak body for young people and those who support them.
Alan Wu, AYAC spokesperson, said, "The announcement of $8 million for the AYF is a significant investment in Australia's young people. It recognises the importance of young people in planning for the future and the unique perspective they have on current issues and challenges in Australia. We strongly applaud this major investment to create a national peak body for youth affairs and re-open an important dialogue with young people and the sector.
"The funding announced by the Government tonight will provide for a sustainable peak body which is able to engage comprehensively with young people. The commitment of $8 million is to be applauded as an investment into higher quality advice and expended engagement with young people and the sector in Australia. For this, we congratulate the Government."
Announced by Tanya Plibersek on 3 May, 2007, the AYF will be a peak body for youth people and the sector which supports them. As stated in the consultation paper released by the Minister for Youth, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, the AYF would establish a formal dialogue between young people and the Government; advise Government on youth affairs; engage with young people through consultations, forums and conferences; provide professional development to the sector; ensure the youth sector is sustainable and advocate the needs of the sector.
AYAC looks forward to working with the Government through their consultation process in establishing a fully independent peak body to represent young people and the sector which supports them.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is a model developed in 2002 as a new youth affairs peak for Australia. It represents several years of work by state and territory youth affairs peaks and a number of national youth organisations.
AYAC aims to represent the rights and interests of young people at a national and international level, promote the well-being of young Australians, promote the fuller participation of young people in Australian society, and to provide policy advice to government and the broader community on issues affecting young people and the youth sector.
AYAC is governed at the highest level by a National Representative Council (NRC), composed of an independent chair, a young spokesperson, two individual representatives from among the general members, eight representatives of national youth organisations and a representative from each of the eight state and territory youth affairs peaks.
Get Involved
The best way to demonstrate your support for a strong, independent national youth affairs peak is to join AYAC as a paid member or (unpaid) supporter. To join, complete the relevant form on our website at: