Northern Victoria Region
Wendy LOVELL (Northern Victoria) (14:58): (662) My question is for the Minister for Housing, and it concerns the need for an Education First Youth Foyer in Bendigo. My question is: will the minister commit to funding the establishment of an Education First Youth Foyer in cooperation with Bendigo TAFE? Since the Baillieu Liberal government established Victoria’s three Education First Youth Foyers, hundreds of young people who were previously homeless and at risk of disconnecting from education or employment have had the opportunity to continue their education, pursue employment opportunities and establish themselves through the stability of the subsidised housing and support services the program provides. However, it is disappointing that there are still only three youth foyers in the state. Other communities are crying out for this program. The government has recently committed to establishing two further youth foyers, in Wangaratta and Wodonga, but Bendigo has been overlooked. In a recent discussion with Bendigo TAFE, I was advised that they have identified a site and desperately want a youth foyer to provide opportunities for young people in the Bendigo community.