State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, will today move a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament calling on the NSW Government to develop a comprehensive approach to youth issues in NSW.
New South Wales hasn’t had a Minister for the Youth portfolio since it was cut by Premier Barry O’Farrell in 2011.
The Wallsend electorate has 12,842 people aged between 15 and 24 and they make up 15.2% of the population. Young people face higher unemployment and more difficult paths to home ownership and education than older members in the community.
Youth should be the focus of Government initiatives around education, employment, health and wellbeing and Ms Hornery will call on the Government to ensure they have a voice when decisions that affect them, now and in the future, are being discussed.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“Our youth have the biggest stake in the future of our State and it is critical they have a voice when decisions that affect them are being made.”
“Without a Minister for Youth who is dedicated to the specific needs of young people their needs are not being adequately represented in Cabinet.”
“Youth in Wallsend electorate face sustained high youth unemployment rates, worrying spikes in youth homelessness, record low housing affordability and difficulties transitioning from education to work.”
“My Notice of Motion is urging the Government to put official mechanisms in place to connect with young people and ensure they are able to participate in decision making that affects their lives.”
“We need to develop a comprehensive approach to youth issues in the Wallsend electorate.”