Youth Minister Dave Kelly has used today’s State of the Youth Sector forum to announce two new initiatives for Western Australian young people.
The McGowan Government will for the first time fund a dedicated advocacy body for young LGBTIQA+ people.
The new advocacy body for young LGBTIQA+ people will be established through the Youth Advisory Council of Western Australia, and it will aim to improve understanding of young LGBTIQA+ people’s needs by government and by service providers.
Its focus will be on policy advice and analysis, education, awareness-raising and building connections within the State Government and in the broader community.
It will also advise the Minister for Youth on LGBTIQA+ youth matters.
For the first time, members of the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council will also be remunerated for their service to the advisory council.
The McGowan Government is committed to providing opportunities for WA youth to participate and to be heard, including the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council which it established in 2017 to provide advice to the Minister for Youth on matters relating to young people.
The Ministerial Youth Advisory Council is comprised of up to 12 young people, aged 15 to 25 years, who draw upon their relevant knowledge, experience and skills to help inform policy and services for young people in Western Australia.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council has been an invaluable source of information for the Government to inform it of the effects the pandemic has had on our young people.
Members from the council sat on the COVID-19 Ministerial Youth Roundtable and were able to contribute to solutions that would assist young people on the road to recovery.
Nominations for new members of the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council will open later this year with a new council expected to convene in 2021. Members can join the council for a 12-month term, with a possible second year extension.
Information on the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council, including how to apply can be found at https://dlgc.communities.wa.gov.au/AboutUs/Pages/Ministerial-Youth-Advisory-Council.aspx
As stated by Youth Minister Dave Kelly:
“2020 has been incredibly hard for young people in WA and across the world, with the COVID-19 pandemic having had a major impact on their health, education, training and employment.
“WA youth now more than ever need to feel they are part of society and are heard, and that their specific needs are considered in any pandemic recovery plan.
“The Ministerial Youth Advisory Council is an integral part of that, and I encourage young people who want to make a difference to nominate.
“Members of the Ministerial Youth Advisory Council will for the first time be remunerated, which recognises in a small way the value that the council members bring to the State Government’s policy-making processes.
“LGBTIQA+ youth are a vulnerable group, and their voices need to be heard.
“A representative body for young LGBTIQA+ people will understand and advocate for their rights, leading to stronger community connections and ultimately improved wellbeing and resilience.”
