Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Community Services) Share this | Hansard source

I am sad that those on the other side see this as such a low-priority issue that they interject on this matter. But it is certainly an extremely important matter to those on this side.

Last Saturday I was very pleased to launch a new program that will assist young people at risk in the Illawarra region of New South Wales. While I am on my feet I would certainly like to acknowledge the work of Senator Fierravanti-Wells, who will be providing a number of youth forums next month in Wollongong which officials from my department will be attending. I am looking forward to hearing your advice on those matters, Senator Fierravanti-Wells. The program is a partnership between St George Illawarra Dragons Rugby League football club and a number of youth services providers in the Illawarra. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those providers. They are: Southern Youth and Family Services, YWCA Shoalhaven and Central Illawarra Youth Services. The Dragons are going to work with the youth services providers to ensure they attract kids to these programs. This is all about providing a range of activities that are aimed at building the skills and particularly the self-esteem that we all know will assist these young people in reconnecting with both family and the community.

This very positive program will also affect young women. We often think of football clubs as representing the blokier end of town, but this will also involve young women through the support of the YWCA Shoalhaven. Very usefully, the YWCA Shoalhaven is providing the basis for the harm reduction in alcohol use program for the football clubs, in that very blokey environment. So they are not only providing the training; they are also ensuring that eight of the players from St George Illawarra Dragons, plus staff, are getting training in appropriate alcohol use. They are going throughout the Group 7 League in the Shoalhaven area. This is a great program. It links a substantial community service organisation with service providers and communities—and what a partner to select. St George Illawarra Dragons are a fantastic community organisation. I have to commend them very much for their participation.