Newsroom
Articles
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
2010 | 2009 | 200825 Jul 2008 - YouthSpeak - a Conversation for the Future
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
25 July, 2008
Media release
YouthSpeak - a Conversation for the Future
A new report aimed at giving young Australians a stronger voice in Government decision making was launched today by the Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, at the University of Western Australia.
The YouthSpeak report captured the views of over 13,000 young people aged 12 to 24 from across Australia on issues that are important to them.
"YouthSpeak shows that young people want to help address a wide range of issues, and that they have an important contribution to make to the process of governance in Australia," Ms Ellis said.
The YouthSpeak report, conducted by the United Nations Youth Association (UNYA) and funded by the Australian Government, found that young people:
- care about the environment;
- want better access to health care services, especially youth specific services;
- want more public transport at a local level;
- want support to educate peers about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol;
- want the eligibility requirements for Youth Allowance to be reviewed; and
- want the inequality between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to be addressed.
"The report has recommendations for governments at all levels to consider from providing better local public transport; investing more in health and education; through to Australia's engagement with international bodies," Ms Ellis said.
"YouthSpeak also urges young Australians to get active and involved in issues of concern to them, whether it is confronting bullying at school or taking practical steps to reduce their own carbon footprint.
"The YouthSpeak report has strengthened the youth voice in Australia and represents the beginning of a new conversation between the Government and young Australians.
"I will ensure the YouthSpeak report is brought to the attention of my ministerial colleagues and that it is fed into the development of the Australian Youth Forum."
The Australian Government is providing $8 million over four years to establish the Australian Youth Forum.
Media Contact:
media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079