Youth

The Greens (WA) are committed to involving, engaging and consulting with young people and we believe it is the responsibility of all levels of government to help facilitate this process. The Greens (WA) reject the ongoing media climate in which young people are routinely characterised as criminal or at risk of becoming so.

Goals

The Greens (WA) want: 

• young people  to be engaged in decision-making about policies and programs that affect their future
• cooperation and communication between young people and other age groups
• the presence of young people in our public spaces to be regarded as normal
• a Western Australian society that embraces young people as the capable custodians of our future 

Initiatives

The Greens (WA) will initiate and support legislation and actions that: 

• consult with peak youth organisations on youth policies and programs
• increase the resourcing of youth organisations and peak youth agencies
• increase local employment opportunities by promoting local provision of goods and services using local resources
• address continuing high youth unemployment¹ by removing payroll tax and other disincentives to employment

   
The Greens (WA) will initiate, encourage and support legislation and actions to:

• encourage communication and cooperation between government departments on issues and projects involving young people
• introduce optional voting enrolment at the age of 16
• reverse the erosion of the public education system under federal and state governments and enhance the availability and accessibility of vocational education
• improve access to post-secondary and tertiary education for regional youth
• promote fulfilling and socially-useful vocations, not simply those with the greatest financial rewards
• provide more accessible pathways to employment and training
• address the specific physical and mental health needs of young people, including  in the areas of self esteem, evidence based drug education and sexual health
• increase HIV/AIDS education
• ensure that recreational, cultural, artistic and sporting activities are affordable and accessible and include a range of activities which address the needs and aspirations of all young people
• provide anti-bullying programs in schools that highlight mediation and restorative practices amongst all members of the school community as well as cultural programs which generate respect for Aboriginal people and cultural diversity
• minimise the involvement of young people in the criminal justice system, by supporting a shift away from imprisonment for minor crimes and promoting community based reparation programs as an alternative to prison
• guarantee access to legal representation and other support
• oppose mandatory sentencing of young people
• protect the rights of young people at work including the right to fair pay and conditions
• improve access to secure, affordable and appropriate long term housing
• increase funding of the Supported Assistance Accommodation Program (SAAP) services that accommodate homeless young people
• improve access to reliable and affordable public transport
• abolish fees and HELP² for domestic university students
• increase the parental income test threshold so that the majority of full-time university and TAFE students qualify for Youth Allowance, reducing the need to work during term time
• raise the Youth Allowance rate to reflect the cost of rental accommodation and living expenses
• develop public spaces and recreational facilities that are safe, accessible, affordable and welcoming of young people, and that provide the opportunity for young people to socialise with their peers
• strengthen networks of agencies that provide support to young people with disabilities

Footnote
1.    In spite of the boom, youth unemployment is still more than 3 times the overall unemployment rate.
2.    HELP - formerly known as the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)