15 November 2005

Youth Coalition for the ACT makes its pitch for more funding

| johnboy
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Had a media release in from the Youth Coalition for the ACT.

“Youth services continue to face increased and more complex client loads as well as insufficient funding for training, recruitment and retention of workers within the sector”.

The full media release is below.

So dear reader, which services should be dropped to allow for more funding for our youth?

MEDIA RELEASE

15 November 2005

CRISIS POINT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
YOUTH COALITION CALLS ON ACT MINISTERS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUES

ACT’s peak body for youth affairs, the Youth Coalition of the ACT, delivered their Budget
Submission for 2006/07 to Ministers yesterday (14 November 2005).

The Youth Coalition’s submission focuses on unmet need in the critical areas of youth
homelessness, youth mental health and the viability of the community sector.

Ms Meredith Hunter, Executive Officer of the Youth Coalition, reported that “the youth
sector in the ACT has reached a point whereby the ACT Government must acknowledge
and address youth homelessness and mental health issues, as well as the viability of the
community sector”.

“Youth services continue to face increased and more complex client loads as well as
insufficient funding for training, recruitment and retention of workers within the sector”.

“Homelessness and housing affordability remains a huge issue in the ACT. The current
housing situation in Canberra is that even those people on the early allocation list cannot
access public housing for at least nine months”.

“The ACT Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan 2003-2008 estimates that
approximately 24% of people experiencing a mental illness in the ACT will be under 19
years of age. It is therefore critical that funding is directed to youth specific mental
health and dual diagnosis services and initiatives in the 2006/07 budget”.

“The youth sector in the ACT has reached a point whereby the ACT Government must
acknowledge and address these issues”, Ms Hunter said, “as the lack of these services
is greatly impacting on young people in the ACT, including in terms of poverty,
homelessness and involvement in the juvenile justice system”.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ms Meredith Hunter, Executive Officer
Tel: 02 6247 3540 Mob: 0400 088 904

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Hear hear Mr. Evil!

Hey, hands off white trash: they keep the caravan industry booming!

“The ACT Mental Health Strategy and Action Plan 2003-2008 estimates that
approximately 24% of people experiencing a mental illness in the ACT will be under 19
years of age.”

Yeah, well what about the 76% of people who are over 19 years of age suffering a mental illness? Maybe if the Govt spent a bit more money on actually doing something, rather than wasting money on shite like the Youth Coalition, then things might change?

screamingmonkey9:49 am 16 Nov 05

getting fatcat greenie MLA’s out of public housing and not having the local mayor give council employees the day off for political purposes might free up some funds

Hey! I’m white trash over thirty and I don’t get any funding! (well that I know of at least. Can I get someone to subsidise my beer?)

Absent Diane9:32 am 16 Nov 05

If we cull (sp?) white trash over the age of 30 that would probably free up some resources and funds…….

Hmmm well these issues are problems for the rest of the community too.
I think more bulk billing doctors would be a good place to start.

Let’s start with middle class welfare for ageing baby boomers.

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