Hearing from young Australians in the Newcastle Hunter region

The Albanese Government is ensuring the voices of young people are heard on the issues that matter to them.

Today, young representatives, aged 16-25, from the Newcastle Hunter region will have their say at the Newcastle Youth Forum.

The Newcastle Youth Forum will be an opportunity to engage directly with the Minister for Youth, Dr Anne Aly and local Federal Members Sharon Claydon MP and Meryl Swanson MP, about the big issues that are facing young people at a local and national level.

Young Australians are best placed to provide advice on creative solutions that work for them to help solve issues that they care about. 

The Youth Forum builds on the work the Albanese Government is already doing to restore trust with young Australians in our political and government institutions.

This work includes re-establishing the Office for Youth, a dedicated unit within government to improve and harmonise policies impacting young Australians, and appointing the Youth Steering Committee made up of 15 diverse young people from across the nation to help shape our Government’s Youth Engagement Model.

Additionally, the Government has appointed 40 young Australians to five Youth Advisory Groups providing advice across matters in a range of portfolios, including Climate Change and Energy, Indigenous Australians, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Industry and Science and Social Services.

These exciting initiatives are ensuring two-way conversations with young Australians on the issues that matter most to them, making sure they have a genuine platform to shape the future of our nation. 

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR YOUTH DR ANNE ALY:

“We’re ensuring young people have a genuine seat at the table, to be really listened to and to effect the change that is important to them.”

“We know that a government that not only works for young people, but also with them, will be far more effective – delivering a better future for all of us.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE SHARON CLAYDON MP:

“There are so many young Novacastrians who want to see things improve for their generation, our community, and the future of our planet. The Albanese Labor government is ensuring the voices of young Novacastrians are heard at the highest level.”

“We know that young people are best place to help shape real solutions on the issues that matter to them. That’s why these discussions in Newcastle today are so important.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MEMBER FOR PATERSON, MERYL SWANSON MP:

"We're empowering young Australians, making sure we are engaging them in two-way conversations.”

“Young Australians in Paterson want to be a part of shaping the solutions that work for them.”

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