HON DR ANNE ALY MP

Minister for Early Childhoood Education and Minister for youth

Member for Cowan

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

To mark International Youth Day, the Albanese Government is recognising the significant contributions of young people in Australia through our commitment to ensure their voices are heard across government.

This year’s International Youth Day theme, Intergenerational solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages, highlights how many of the issues that directly affect young Australians also affect Australians regardless of age – from access to quality education, securing employment, and the struggles of facing the rising cost of living.

Minister for Youth Dr Anne Aly said the Albanese Government is committed to ensuring the issues and the concerns of the more than three million young people in Australia are heard and understood.

“I’ve been listening to the issues of concern to young people who attended two roundtables this week on the critical issue of youth employment,” Minister Aly said.

“The roundtables have presented young people with an opportunity to directly provide their perspectives on the unique issues they face when accessing and retaining meaningful employment, training and education ahead of next month’s Jobs and Skills Summit.

“These conversations will continue, with the views of young people being acted upon by the government, ensuring programs and policies aimed at young people are designed with them and for them.”

“That’s why we’re establishing an Office for Youth and delivering a new Youth Engagement Model, providing a platform and mechanism for young Australians to directly engage with government and contribute to policy development,” Minister Aly said.

“It’s important we recognise the enormous contribution that young people make to the social, cultural and economic life of Australia, not just on International Youth Day today, but every day.”

The Jobs and Skills Summit, to be held in early September, will build on the Government’s existing commitment to young people to provide 465,000 Fee Free TAFE courses, including 45,000 new TAFE courses, in industries facing skills shortages including early childhood education.

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Media Contact:         Hannah Porter – 0499 976 340