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
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200801 Aug 2008 - Young Australian leaders urged to make their mark
The Federal Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, today urged youth leaders to work together to achieve positive social change in Australia.
Speaking at the Oaktree Foundation's annual ACT Leaders of Change conference, Ms Ellis encouraged delegates to inspire and challenge one another and explore new ways of dealing with long-standing problems like poverty, homelessness and environmental change-both in Australia and globally.
"The Australian Government is committed to youth participation at the highest levels in our nation's policy making process," said Ms Ellis.
"For far too long young Australians have not been encouraged or empowered to speak up and take their rightful place in public life.
"We have a lot of complex challenges facing us, and to solve them we will need to engage the full range of talents and perspectives that we have available to us in Australia-and that includes young people."
Ms Ellis said the Australian Government has made it clear that it wants young people "at the table", and has committed $8 million over four years to establish the Australian Youth Forum.
The forum will be a link between the Government and young people, including youth policy specialists and the youth sector. It will support and encourage young Australians to contribute to Government policy development and decision making.
"Young people don't want to have to 'wait their turn' before speaking up and having a say on issues of concern to them and the wider community, and nor should they," Ms Ellis said.
"You all have unique talents, experiences and perspectives, and by bringing them to the table and discussing them in forums like this, you contribute to building a better future for all Australians."