The websites of both major parties are full of policy promises, covering everything from transport, education and tourism to employment, health and racing. There is even a policy for puppy farms! However, despite alarming statistics regarding youth unemployment, youth homelessness or youth mental health, neither party have bothered to develop any type of comprehensive Youth Policy for the State’s youth or vulnerable young that address the great challenges for them that they face in the coming years.
The major new report from the National Centre for Social Modelling (NATSEM) in association with AMP, reminds us of what challenges they are facing, with young people under 20 who are looking for a full time job will be four and a half times more likely to be unemployed than older Australians.
And it doesn’t get easier with a degree as those in their 20’s who hold degree qualifications are doubly represented than any other age group working in hospitalities and sales.
Most agree that this has been a lacklustre election with very little from either side capturing our imagination but with Victoria’s growing youth population and a declining employment and economic base, it is remarkable that neither side has posted a policy addressing our youth, the most significant section of the population needing both pathways and opportunity.
It may be nice for many in our community to hear of the big infrastructure announcements like a train or a tunnel, but where is the strategy or financial commitment on an equivalent scale on issues like the 10,000 year 9 and 10 students from 2013 who did not enrol this year, the increasing numbers of young people across the state that are finding themselves homeless, or, according to the NATSEM Report, the 27% unemployment rate of 15 to 19 year olds.
With less than two weeks to go to the election, it might be unrealistic for either party to re-engineer their policy positions to focus on arguably one of the most pressing issues that we face as a society. But let’s assume that someone from one of the major parties takes notice. What would we like to see?
For starters:
- Clear initiatives that assist youth to make the difficult transition from school to work.
- A policy for young people involved in juvenile crime that provides pathways into supported employment;
- An arts and cultural strategy that engages marginalised youth;
- A State sanctioned youth strategy for our 9 ‘interface councils’ who face a growth spiral of young people in their communities
- ‘Gold pass’ mentoring into housing, domestic/lifestyle support and employment options for vulnerable young who do not have a mum or dad to rely on, and who are homeless or are leaving State care.
Could this be a grander vision than another tunnel or train? Wouldn’t this make us a better and more caring State? A policy on young people who are occupied, active and imbued with a sense of belonging, will undoubtedly be better for their family, better for our local communities and better for the overall State?
Victoria is bedevilled by postcodes where youth unemployment rates sit at plus 20%, child neglect notifications tripling the State average, and there is zero growth or interest in regenerating community infrastructure in these settings.
Ongoing difficulties.
Intergenerational unemployment is now well rooted in many regional and fringe metropolitan communities, and in terms of role modelling the emerging teenager in these families faces the likelihood of falling into a lifestyle of itinerancy in unemployment and housing. It would be remarkable with this ‘DNA’ if they present with any aspirations for a secure and prosperous future.
Yet neither party have been bothered to address this social malaise in our community. Both sides to date have failed to understand that if you get this problem right in the neediest communities, we have a far better chance of building economic and social sustainability across the State.
We were all young once, and we all relied on an adult system that noticed us, motivated us and pulled us through. So far in this election campaign, very few of our 15 to 25 year-olds would be feeling the love.
The sad reality is that we lack political boldness, or is it more accurately the political interest, to turn these things around. In a lacklustre election campaign youth and youth unemployment may be the difference to capturing our imagination in what a State Government can do for the State.
Now that would be an election to get excited about.
