Young people in Werribee will get more opportunities to have their say and participate in decision-making, with the launch of the Andrews Labor Government’s Youth Policy: Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria today.

Local member for Werribee Tim Pallas MP said that the policy will improve youth engagement, with new opportunities for government and young people to work together on new ideas and innovative solutions.

Some of the initiatives include:

• a Youth Engagement Charter to guide government’s engagement with young people in policy and program design, and service delivery
• a youth summit bringing together over 100 young Victorians to identify and discuss issues that are important to them
• a youth congress of young Victorians, elected through the youth summit, to provide advice to government on emerging and priority issues for young people, with a cabinet minister attending key meetings
• an annual youth survey, to develop a robust evidence base to understand and address issues that are important to young Victorians

The new policy and initiatives will be welcome news for young people in Werribee who already show their passion for participation and community in a number of ways.

Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos also announced funding almost $4 million for a new program that provides tailored support for vulnerable young people in Victoria.

It will enable organisations and local government to engage youth workers to work with at-risk young people to support their health and well-being, engagement in education and training, community involvement and employment opportunities.

The program will target areas experiencing high socio-economic disadvantage, including areas of high-unemployment, increased youth offending, low educational engagement and poor health or mental wellbeing indicators.

For more information on the youth policy and to register your interest in taking part in future events and initiatives, go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas

“This initiative will ensure that we engage young Victorians who embody the future of public debate, progressive thinking and provide a vision for our great state”