Media Releases
Leading NGOs Join Forces in Calling for a National Children’s Commissioner
Nearly 40 of Australia’s leading national children and youth support organisations are today celebrating the release of an NGO Positions Paper on the role and functions of a National Children’s Commissioner.
Minister for Youth Peter Garrett today announced the members of the 2012 Australian Youth Forum (AYF) Steering Committee. It will provide a link between the Australian Government and young people.
“I will be seeking their advice on the future development of the Australian Youth Forum, as well as their views on how best to build our interactions with young people, in particular those who face barriers to participation." Mr Garrett said.
Media Release - 30 November
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - Australia’s national voice for young people and the youth support sector – today called on ALP members to listen to young people as they head into this year’s national conference. “Young people want to see a socially progressive government that is willing to take action on the important issues of our time” says AYAC’s Executive Director, Andrew Cummings.
Media Release - 27 October 2011
AYAC today joined with the Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) to call for fair and equitable resourcing of youth services in rural and remote communities
MEDIA RELEASE - 19th October 2011: AYAC Urges Government to Re-Think Indigenous Truancy Policy
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - the peak body representing Australia’s young people and the youth support sector – today raised serious concern regarding the announcement of the implementation of compulsory income management or welfare cuts to parents in Indigenous communities whose children don’t attend school. AYAC’s concerns add weight to similar fears raised by various organisations and community groups in recent weeks.
AYAC congratulates the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, the Hon Peter Garrett on recent announcements for a new advisory group on school students with disability and a commitment of $30 million dollars in funding to help more schools close the gap.
AYAC today congratulated the Federal Government for making significant changes to the National School Chaplaincy Program based on responses from the community.
“AYAC is heartened by Minister Garrett’s statement today that the Program will be extended to include secular youth and welfare workers. We are also very pleased that minimum qualifications will be introduced, requiring all new chaplains to complete a Certificate IV in Youth Work or an equivalent qualification. We are particularly pleased that the Minister has placed a strong emphasis on the quality and value of qualified youth workers in schools”, said Andrew Cummings, Executive Director of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) today urged the Federal Government to continue with its reform agenda in tackling difficult issues such as global warming. AYAC urged the Prime Minister not to cave in to a small but vocal proportion of the population, who are putting pressure on the government to back down on important social and environmental changes.
The Australian youth sector will ‘interrupt transmission’ for the next three days as they gather for the first National youth sector conference since 2007.
AYAC Executive Director, Andrew Cummings said that the three-day event also provides a chance to reflect on the position of young people and the youth sector.
Young people with disabilities are struggling to access and participate in education free from bullying and discrimination, according to a survey undertaken by the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC).
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - the peak body representing Australia’s young people and the youth support sector – today called for changes to the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP), adding weight to concerns raised by various organisations and community groups in recent weeks.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) - the peak body representing Australia’s young people and the youth support sector – today renewed its call to the Federal Government to establish a National Children’s Commissioner for Children and Young People. AYAC’s call follows the release of the report by the Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Standing Committee, recommending that the Bill introduced by Green’s Senator Sarah Hanson-Young not be passed.
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition’s Executive Director, Andrew Cummings, has become an Ambassador for National Families Week 2011 - Australia’s main celebration of the importance of families.
Last nights budget has both good and bad elements for young people in Australia, according to the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC). “Whilst the budget includes some positive developments for young people and their families, there were also areas of strong concern and missed opportunities” says AYAC’s Executive Director, Andrew Cummings...
AYAC calls on the Federal Government to reverse plans to cut payments as soon as welfare recipients miss a Centrelink or JSA interview. This call follows 5 labour MPs who condemned the legislation as 'unfair and draconian.'
Young people in receipt of benefits are one of the groups most likely to adversely affected by the legislation. AYAC is part of a Centrelink Working Group that is looking into the reasons and barriers for non-attendance.
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