Page 5450 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Opposition members interjecting—
MRS DUNNE: I am quite happy to rephrase the question if Mr Hargreaves has a problem with it.
Mr Hargreaves: It is just out of order.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, I invite you to reframe the question with more regard to Mr Hargreaves’s original question.
MRS DUNNE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, when did you first read the youth plan that you launched yesterday, and have you launched or made other statements about other reports that you have not read?
MS BURCH: I read the youth plan, I think, within the first 10 days of being minister. It went to cabinet for consideration and endorsement. And the answer to the second part is: none.
MR COE: Supplementary, Mr Speaker. Minister, you mention that the report includes issues with sustainability. What exactly does the report say about this issue?
MS BURCH: Thank you, Mr Coe. I hope that you do read the plan, Mr Coe. The young people of Canberra did raise the environment as a key issue. They identified that they were very concerned around the environment and future sustainability—unlike some other discussions that are happening in the country today.
The plan has a number of goals: to “assist and support young people to raise awareness of the environment” and to participate in decision making about future environmental policy. For example, the Department of Education and Training is working with the commonwealth on the Australian sustainable schools initiative, which includes the development of best practice guides to reduce schools’ ecological footprint. The ACT government is also participating in the caring for country initiative, engaging young people in the natural resource management of 2009-10 and 2010-11.
The success of the plan will be measured by an increase in awareness and knowledge of environment and sustainability issues, through such measures as workshops and policies integrated into the territory plan.
Another aim is for active participation in policy development by young people. This will be achieved by consultation with the community and peak youth bodies, including the Youth Advisory Council.
Visitors
MR SPEAKER: Members, before I proceed to the next question, I would simply like to note the presence of the year 9 group from Burgmann Anglican college in the gallery today. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video