As NSW heads to the polls on 25 March 2023, Youth Action has been hearing from young people and the Youth Sector about their priorities for the election. In preparing our asks for the incoming Government, we heard from over 2,000 young people in 62 consultations, and nearly 1,700 youth sector representatives over 40 occasions, and also a poll of over 1,000 young people.

On 23 February, over 200 representatives including young people and the Sector came together for the NSW State Election Forum: What matters for young people at the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). The event was co-hosted with ATYP, MYAN NSW and YFoundations who formed the “NSW Youth Alliance” to advance our collective work for the rights of young people across the state.

Rounding out young people’s key issues for voting included: employment, climate change, health/wellbeing, economy, housing, and education. When asked what their major cost-of-living worries were, food and groceries came in at number one followed closely by rent and utilities.

Our Election Platform covers 7 key areas that are needed to ensure that young people thrive in the state of NSW. We have seen an increase in demand from the services that support young people. The past three years have been tough for young people in NSW, with the pandemic, fires and floods and the ongoing intergenerational inequity. The combination of these events has seen young people fall further behind.

Our state will need targeted investment to increase engagement and participation of young people, through supports and services in areas such as mental health, education, employment, housing and homelessness, throughcare for those in conflict with the law, child protection systems, and the expansion of youth specific services.

Links and Resources:

Download the Election Platform: What Matters to Young People
Learn more about the 10 key asks of the NSW Youth Alliance
Election resources for young people
Share voting resources that young people and Youth Action have created
Polling results

Get Involved

Join in to collectively to help raise awareness of young people’s asks for the incoming Government.

1. Include the following in your next email newsletter

Youth Action have released their Election Platform “What matters to young people”. The recommendations and findings draw from consultations and polling with young people and representatives of the youth sector. Their key issues for voting included: employment, climate change, health/wellbeing, economy, housing, and education. Learn more.

2. Like and share our social posts

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthactionnsw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youthactionnsw
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/youthactionnsw
• LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/youth-action-nsw

3. Post on your social media

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Youth Action have released their Election Platform “What matters to young people”. The recommendations draw on consultations and polling of young people and representatives of the youth sector. Learn more.

Media

For media enquiries please contact Kate on 0407 594 916 or kate@youthaction.org.au

Download the media release