Roundtable: giving young Australians a voice

Thirty young Australians have been chosen to represent the views of young people as members of the National Youth Roundtable 2005.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth Affairs, the Hon Sussan Ley MP, today welcomed the new members who will provide a valuable insight into the issues confronting their generation today in Australia.

The National Youth Roundtable was established by the Howard Government in 1999 to give young people aged 15 to 24 years the opportunity to speak directly with the Government about issues important to them.

“The National Youth Roundtable provides the Howard Government with an important forum to hear from Australia’s youth as well as giving the opportunity for young people to develop their knowledge and skills in managing community projects and liaising with government,” Mrs Ley said.

“This year’s members were selected from all over Australia and include young Indigenous members, young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and a young person with a disability.

“Members will bring to the Roundtable a wide range of experiences and viewpoints, as they come from all States and Territories, metropolitan and regional areas and various cultural and educational backgrounds.

“The Government will work with the members to provide them with the practical tools and the confidence needed to bring forward their views on youth issues of national importance.

“The Howard Government remains committed to continuing to involve people through programs such as the National Youth Roundtable, giving Australia’s leaders of tomorrow a voice today,” Mrs Ley said.

The first formal meeting of the National Youth Roundtable will be held in Canberra from 2-9 September 2005.

For more information on the Roundtable, visit the Howard Government’s national youth website at National Youth Roundtable, email Roundtable (roundtable@thesource.gov.au) or call 1800 624 309 (free call)

Related information
National Youth Website