Youth Roundtable 2003 meets Federal Parliament

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today officially welcomed 50 young Australians to Canberra for the first meeting of National Youth Roundtable 2003.

“National Youth Roundtable 2003 is set to be the best Roundtable yet. Roundtable members commitment to represent Australia’s young people is remarkable. Member’s backgrounds and interests are diverse with health and community workers, volunteers, students and entrepreneurs.

“Roundtable members have come from as far away as Burketown on the Gulf of Carpentaria to meet with the Governor General, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, Members of Parliament and officers from several Government Departments and discuss the issues that concern them.

“This year, projects will be focused on youth services and support, transitions to independence, housing and accommodation, health, social equality and leadership and enterprise development.

“After this first meeting, they will return to their communities to work on their projects. The Roundtable will reconvene in Canberra in September.

“Interest in the National Youth Roundtable grows each year. This year there were 787 applications, a 20 per cent increase on last year, demonstrating the firm interest young people have in participating in this important forum.

“Not only does the National Youth Roundtable provide Government with an important forum to hear from Australia’s youth, it also provides these young people to develop their confidence and leadership skills,” Mr Anthony said.

For more information about the National Youth Roundtable phone (free call) 1800 624 309 or email roundtable@thesource.gov.au.