Thursday, 19 June 2025

Banyule Youth Summit

Vicki WARD (Eltham – Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster Recovery, Minister for Equality) (10:03): I congratulate and thank every young person who attended Banyule council’s youth summit for their extraordinary work and contributions. These young people are energetic, articulate and caring. They want a world in which all people are respected and treated fairly, they want to be listened to and they want to be able to access opportunities. Equality for these young people is not negotiable. Cultural safety matters to them.

Importantly, we learned of the determination young people have in wanting to be connected to not just each other but to the wider community. They sought ongoing educational opportunities regarding alcohol and illicit drug use. They wanted meaningful and worthwhile employment. It is important to them, and they hope to see opportunities like volunteer programs to help develop employment experience. They seek social engagement, including sports but also film, wellbeing and other activities, and they want stronger engagement with First Nations on culture and history. They want stronger access to information to be supported in finding the resources they need. We also heard about their support for the wellbeing and welfare hubs that are being developed in schools across our community.

Access to green spaces matters to these young people, and they want greater diversity when it comes to outdoor activities. They know there are positive actions underway in responding to climate change, but they want to know more. Fast fashion is anathema to this group, and they want greater promotion of op shops and clothing swaps. Having the skills to address microaggressions and ignorance is something these young people wish to develop and strengthen, and they want support in strengthening their self-advocacy.