Page 1025 - Week 04 - Thursday, 18 June 1992
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While recognising the valuable work of the select committee and of Mr Moore's Bills, the Government believes that the time taken to more fully consider policy options and developments in other jurisdictions has resulted in an improved and more highly developed proposal, and has enabled the Government's advisers to identify a range of problems needing to be addressed in the health and planning aspects and in some technical aspects of Mr Moore's Bills. Madam Speaker, the Government has always taken the view that there are too many important matters involved in this issue for it to be dealt with quickly, and we intend that there will be at least two months for community comment on the discussion paper. I therefore commend the discussion paper to the Assembly and to the ACT community, and I look forward to considering comments provoked as a result of this debate.
Debate (on motion by Mr Moore) adjourned.
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT
Ministerial Statement and Paper
MR BERRY (Deputy Chief Minister): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement on youth employment on behalf of the Chief Minister.
Leave granted.
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, there are almost 60,000 15- to 24-year-olds in the Australian Capital Territory, representing almost 20 per cent of our population. They form the largest single demographic group in our community. A large proportion of this group have been born and educated in the ACT, representing a significant investment by our community. Our young people are amongst the Territory's most valuable assets and the Government wishes to ensure that they are given every opportunity, both for their own personal development and to maximise their contribution to the community over the coming years.
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week indicate that youth unemployment in the ACT is currently at 11.7 per cent. Whilst this figure is subject to sample error and fluctuates monthly, it is clear from the labour force figures that for this year the youth unemployment rate in the ACT has been falling compared to the situation a year ago, when we had amongst the highest rate of youth unemployment in the nation. The situation nationally and even our own figures, however, are still a matter of great concern for the Government. While recognising that the current high level of unemployment is essentially the product of national circumstances, the Government is determined to better the prospects of all young people in Canberra. In this context the Government has instigated a range of employment initiatives and programs designed to give youth a fair go. I remind the Assembly of the diversity and intensity of our efforts, particularly since last year's budget.
Unemployment of our young people was the first reference that the Chief Minister gave to the Economic Priorities Advisory Committee of the ACT, EPACT; and later on I will be tabling their report for the information of Assembly members. I will elaborate a little later on those findings. The Government has given increased funding to Jobline and Involve which will assist young people into short-term employment and meet skill training needs. The Chief Minister recently opened the southside office of Jobline and was impressed by their efforts.
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