April 15, 2010
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has used National Youth Week (NYW) to call on the State and Federal Labor Governments to do more for young people in regional areas.
Mr Chester has been advocating for greater government investment to provide better opportunities for young people from regional areas to reach their full potential since being elected to Federal Parliament.
As part of Youth Week activities, Mr Chester has met with Wellington Youth Council and addressed school groups throughout Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.
“We often read negative stories in the media about young people but when I meet with local students and discuss local issues, I’m often impressed by their enthusiasm and concern about local issues,” Mr Chester said.
“Our community needs young leaders to contribute their ideas and help make a difference in the lives of others and we should be celebrating their achievements during Youth Week.”
Mr Chester recently led a local campaign to overturn a decision by the Federal Education Minister to cut the ‘gap year’ pathway to achieve independence for student income assistance. Over 5000 students, parents and teachers from across Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley signed Mr Chester’s petition opposing the changes which resulted in a win for students who took a ‘gap year’ in 2009.
However, Mr Chester believes that a lot of work is still required to improve the student income assistance system for Gippsland and Latrobe Valley and he will continue to fight for a fair go for young people in the region.
“It doesn’t matter whether you intend to become a doctor or a plumber, you should be able to complete your qualifications or training without being financially worse off, just because you’ve grown up in a regional area,” Mr Chester said.
“Too many young people in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley are unable to reach their full potential because there isn’t enough support from governments.
“It is a government responsibility to reduce the economic barriers which prevent many regional students from moving away to study or undertake training opportunities.”
Mr Chester encouraged young people across the region to stand up and demand more from the State and Federal Labor Governments during National Youth Week.
“The input of young people in addressing the inequity of services or issues of concern to them in regional communities can often be overlooked. But young people are highly capable of helping to develop solutions to local problems, particularly those that affect their peers,” Mr Chester said.
Mr Chester said National Youth Week runs until Sunday, April 18 and more information can be found online at http://youthweek.com/2010/