Page 1116 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 5 April 2016
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We have been determined to look at new methods to engage young people. For example, with the statement of planning intent, a “speed debating” workshop was held with younger people on how planning can provide for the urban places they envisage in this city. The preparation of a new master plan for the Calwell group centre involved the engagement of local schoolchildren through an ideas workshop hosted by the master plan team at the Calwell Primary School. Their priorities sometimes conflicted with those of the adults. Kids are more likely to prioritise places to play and informal spaces over shopping and parking facilities, and the addition of their voices added balance to the process.
These are some of the ways we are responding to the needs and ideas of young people to ensure that we have a city that is inclusive and supportive of our younger generations. I am looking forward to meeting with the full diversity of Canberra’s young people over the coming months to continue the conversation about how we can help them to prosper, and have some fun as well.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra—Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Children and Young People, Minister for Disability, Minister for Small Business and the Arts and Minister for Veterans and Seniors) (3.45): Let me start by thanking Ms Burch for bringing this important matter to the Assembly today. We know that on most fronts the majority of young people in the ACT are faring well, but we can and will improve our services and programs to build resilience, identify the strengths of our young people and their families and build their capacity to overcome risk factors to development.
Indeed, in many areas for which I am the responsible minister, building this capacity and resilience is the key to supporting the growth of children and young people. Listening to the views of young people and putting their thoughts into action are central to the ACT children and young people commitment 2015-25. This is a whole-of-government public statement about how the ACT government will work with our community to support children and young people.
More than 1½ thousand people provided feedback during the first round of consultations on the commitment. Of those who provided their age, more than one-third were children or young people. From this feedback children and young people told us what they want. They want strong families and communities that are inclusive, supportive and nurturing. They want access to quality health care, learning and employment opportunities. They want to be kept safe and protected from harm. They want implementation of policy that enables conditions for them to thrive. They want advocacy of their rights and they want to be included in decision-making, especially in areas that affect them.
Madam Assistant Speaker, you will notice that two of the areas nominated in the consultation on the commitment as being important to children and young people were strong families with supportive, inclusive communities and being safe from harm. These are two fundamental rights of every citizen, but for children and young people there is a responsibility on our community to uphold these rights. One small but important part of this responsibility is in relation to children and young people
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