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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 | 200831 Jul 2008 - Young Australians encouraged to enrol to vote
The Minister for Youth, Kate Ellis, today urged young people to ensure they are enrolled to vote as part of the Australian Electoral Commission's national Enrol to Vote Week.(28 July-3 August 2008).
This year's event highlights the importance of enrolment outside of federal election years, reminding young people that there are state, territory, local government and by-elections, for which they need to be ready.
"Voting is the cornerstone of Australia's democratic system and young people who become eligible to vote for the first time need to be able to have their say at the ballot box, just like everyone else," Ms Ellis said.
"Enrol to Vote Week aims to make young people aware of their voting responsibilities and rights, and to remind young people of the importance and benefits of ensuring their name is registered on the electoral roll".
Ms Ellis said she was concerned that young people were underrepresented on the electoral roll with only three in four people aged 18 years enrolled to vote.
"Last week I launched the United Nations Youth Association of Australia report YouthSpeak: A Conversation for the Future, which captures the views, ideas and opinions of more than 13,000 young people from towns and communities throughout Australia," she said.
The YouthSpeak report shows that young people do want their voices to be heard on a broad range of issues that impact on them and the wider Australian community. Increasing the percentage of young Australians who are enrolled to vote is an important step to take in ensuring their voices are heard.
The issue of civics, citizenship and electoral participation was also raised at the Australia 2020 Youth Summit as one of the top 10 issues important to Summit participants.
"Vote for a Better Vote: Our Democracy Depends on it was also a major theme explored by young delegates at the summit as part of the Australia Governance discussion group" Ms Ellis said.
"As the Minister for Youth I strongly encourage young people to participate in events held in their schools as part of National Enrol to Vote Week-this will ensure that at election time they are eligible to exercise their democratic right".
For more information visit www.enroltovoteweek.aec.gov.au