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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200815 Oct 2008 - Government Welcomes 'How Young People Are Faring' Report
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard and the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, today welcomed the report How Young People Are Faring by the Foundation for Young Australians.
The report released today shows that young people who have not achieved Year 12 or equivalent qualifications or who do not have post school qualifications fare worse in transition from school to work and in the labour market more generally.
This important report provides support for the Rudd Government's Education Revolution, especially the emphasis on lifting attainment of Year 12 or equivalent qualifications.
For the last decade, retention rates to Year 12 in Australia have not improved. Australia's Year 12 or equivalent retention rate is low by OECD standards.
The Rudd Government is committed to delivering on its ambitious target for 2020; that 90 per cent of young Australians will have attained Year 12 or an equivalent qualification. This would establish Australia in the top third of OECD countries.
This report clearly shows that targeted, enduring and well resourced programs are needed if we are to reach this ambitious goal.
The $2.5 billion Trade Training in Schools Program is giving young people opportunities to learn a trade while at school to increase school retention rates, improve transitions from school to work and address skill shortages.
The new national curriculum will ensure every young Australian has access to a world class curriculum, to lift achievement and drive up school retention rates.
The report also shows that the Government's National Partnership aimed at disadvantaged school communities is desperately needed to ensure low SES students and low achievers don't fall through the gaps.
The Government is committed to Australia's youth as they tackle the complex challenges ahead.
The Office for Youth was recently established to identify key issues impacting on the lives of young Australians, and will play a strategic policy advice role to ensure that they are given the opportunities they deserve now and in the future.