AYAC News

AYAC was pleased to be able to provide support to the 2011 United Nations Youth Representative, Benson Saulo. The project is funded under the Australian Youth Forum Initiative on behalf of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Since May 5 2011 Benson has traveled throughout Australia, Zurich, Switzerland and experienced a 3 month stay in New York City during the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Throughout his travels Benson attended and hosted various youth forums to gain a deeper understanding on the issues affecting youth today.

AYAC supports the Australian Labour Party in their move to commit to appoint a National Children's Commissioner. The amendment was made from the floor of the ALP National Conference over the weekend, receiving strong support.

AYAC understands the critical need for a National Children’s Commissioner, and has been working closely with leading NGO's to progress the issue.

 

A trial program that will see teenage parents forced to finish Year 12 or risk having their welfare payments cut when their baby turns one was made law by federal parliament last week. AYAC is concerned about the mandatory nature of the policy and the threat facing young people of losing vital basic income support.

The Federal Government is currently reviewing the definition of ‘charity’ in order to introduce a standard definition of ‘charity’ that will apply across all Commonwealth laws in Australia from 1 July 2013. AYAC is committed to advocating for and supporting the needs of youth led organisations.

The Australian Government is currently doing an evaluation of the Australian Youth Forum (AYF). The AYF is one of the key ways the Australian Government engages young people to participate in public discussions through online discussion boards and events, and the AYF wants to hear from you!

AYAC today opened applications for the Commonwealth Youth Forum to be held in Western Australia from October 23-27 for young people 18 – 29 years.

30 young people from all walks of life, and from all across the country will be chosen to represent Australia at the forum with young attendees from other Commonwealth nations. The Forum is an important part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and gives Australian young people the opportunity share their views at an international level. It also provides an excellent learning opportunity about the Commonwealth and the chance to develop new skills.

Find out more information about the Commonwealth Youth Forum!

In May-June 2011, AYAC held the first national youth affairs conference in over 4 years. Feedback from the delegates has been collated, and available for your perusal!

 

AYAC congratulates the Federal Government for this week's announcement of it's plan to put a price on carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy and launch an independent authority to focus on climate policy.

Check out AYAC's Maia Giordano's article in June's Australian Mosaic, titled "Your Views Matter: Australia’s National Youth  Peak Advocating for the Rights of Young People" (page 30)

AYAC calls on the government to rethink its punitive approach to vulnerable Australians in the welfare system.

On 17 June, the Government announced that Social Security Legislation Amendment (Jobseeker Compliance) Bill 2011 was passed by the Parliament. We know that young people and newly arrived migrants are two groups who are most affected by these changes.

 

AYAC expresses support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan launched by the Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett on 9 June 2011. AYAC believes clear action is needed to support and enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to access and achieve a good education.

Today, 17th May 2011, is The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). To help celebrate, AYAC staffers uploaded a photo to 'This is Oz'...

Andrew Cummings, AYAC's Executive Director, was interviewed by community radio station, The Wire, about the changes in the upcoming budget and how it might impact young mums.

AYAC wants to hear from you via the current survey on young people with a disability and education.

Bursary information for AYAC's 2011 national youth conference is now available! Applications are now being encouraged - so check it out.

 

 

Hot off the press!

The program for the AYAC 2011 national youth conference, 'Interrupting Transmission: youth | change | policy | practice' is now available on our website!

If you hadn't had a chance to browse the rest of the conference pages, there is plenty of fresh information awaiting.

Recently AYAC submitted a response to the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety inquiry into cyber safety issues affecting children and young people.

We are pleased to announce the committee will be consulting directly with young people, and have created a survey to that effect....

Youth Homelessness Matters is about raising the public awareness about youth homelessness and to celebrate the resilience of young people who are experiencing homelessness in Australia. Nearly half of all homeless Australians are children and young people under the age of 25

National Youth Week officially kicks off today with thousands of events happening all over the country until April 10th; many of them run by young people for young people.

Check out what AYAC is doing to celebrate - click here!

Today, Friday March 18,  is the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, the first in Australian history

AYAC strongly endorses the issues raised by ACOSS in the in its recent Media Release highlighting the widening gap between allowance payments and pensions because of unfair indexation rates.

Inquiry into the high level of involvement of Indigenous juveniles and young adults in the criminal justice system:

ACOSS yesterday rejected calls for cuts welfare payments to pay for flood reconstruction

Centrelink is looking for the best way to provide information to you to assist with questions that students might have.

From Cunderdin to Cairns, Tennant Creek to Timboon, the ABC Heywire 2010-11 winners have descended on Canberra to share their stories, ideas and opinions. This year, AYAC’s Maia Giordano (Deputy Director – Young People) is sitting on the forum expert panel, as winners present to the panel issues that are important to them, and pitch ideas to improve the lives of young people in their communities.

The two persons we are seeking will join a team of passionate individuals who are committed to making Australia a more inclusive and supportive country for young people, and to building a stronger youth sector.

AYAC has joined with a number of key State, Territory and Federal youth sector and youth-led organisations in supporting Greens Senator Hanson-Young’s Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People 2010 Bill but has also highlighted the need for a Deputy Commissioner whose sole mandate is focused on Closing the Gap.