Stirling Griff (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) the Youth Representative Consultation Report was released in December 2018,

  (ii) the report, written by Mr Amos Washington, the 2018 Youth Representative to the United Nations, is the culmination of consultations with thousands of young people across the country and a six-week placement at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations, where the Youth Representative worked on behalf of young Australians,

  (iii) the Youth Representative Program provides young Australians with an important platform to have their voices heard around Australia and on the international stage,

  (iv) the report identifies mental health and wellbeing, discrimination and inequality, and education as the top issues facing young Australians, and

  (v) while the vast majority of young people surveyed are interested in current global events and in learning more about how the government makes decisions, less than one in five of the young people surveyed feel like their opinions are represented by politicians in government;

(b) supports the Youth Representative's efforts to provide young Australians with an opportunity to have their perspectives heard and considered;

(c) recognises the importance of supporting the wellbeing of young Australians;

(d) recognises that young people have perspectives that can enrich policy conversations;

(e) emphasises the need to continually consider how young people can be further involved in policy decision-making; and

(f) commits to:

  (i) supporting the Youth Representative Program into the future,

  (ii) exploring opportunities for meaningful consultation with young people when creating policy, and

  (iii) placing the needs of young Australians at the forefront of policymaking.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia is a founding member of the United Nations and has been an active participant in the UN for 70 years. We welcome the participation of young Australians as part of our next generation of leaders in the UN's work. The Australian government supports our UN youth representatives by funding their participation at the UN in New York. Former Australian government UN youth representative Chris Eigeland was appointed by the government in 2017 as a member of Australia's UNESCO National Commission. In that role, he advises the government on youth and communication issues relating to the United Nations. The Australian government's plan for strong economy, return to budget balance and the delivery of essential services is designed to support the future of young Australians.

Question agreed to.