Penny Wright (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Youth Connections program has assisted hundreds of disengaged young people to reconnect to education, training or employment,

(ii) funding to the program has been cut by the Federal Government, and will officially end on 31 December 2014,

(iii) the Government has not allocated any funds to any similar or replacement program,

(iv) this will be the first time in 20 years there is no federally funded program to assist young people to re engage with pathways to future work and education, and

(v) young people across Australia, especially those who are disadvantaged, will miss out on vital support provided by the Youth Connections program; and

(b) calls on the Government to reinstate the funding for this effective and necessary program.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Youth Connections program was initially funded in 2010 under the National Partnership Agreement on Youth Attainment and Transitions. After it ran its course, it did not meet the targets set out for it in that agreement. Upon its expiry the previous Labor government did not refund this program; it simply kicked the can down the road for 12 months and provided one year of extra funding. There was no further funding or budget allocation for it in the forward estimates whatsoever. The government will be opposing this motion. The government is investing a record amount in schools and trade support activities funding for young people in Australia.

Question agreed to.