The Albanese Government is laying the foundations for a better future for young people, ensuring our region’s youth are heard when creating government policies and programs that impact them.

Minister for Youth, Dr Anne Aly, and the Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, today welcomed 16 local young people to a roundtable discussion that will contribute to the Albanese Government's youth engagement strategy.

Ms Coker said the roundtable offered an opportunity for local young people to provide feedback on how federal government can better communicate and engage with issues that affect them.

“Too many young people feel disengaged with political processes – this is about addressing that and ensuring young people across our region and the nation can have a say,” said Ms Coker.

“We know that by working with young people we can deliver a better future for all Australians.”

“I am encouraging all our locals between the ages of 12 and 25 to contribute their viewpoint to the process – my office is more than happy to assist with accessing the survey.”

Dr Aly had launched the nationwide consultations at an event in Perth last month and said the opportunity to go across the nation and hear from young Australians presented a new and exciting opportunity for the federal government.

“This consultation already feels very different, we are speaking directly to young people to ensure the Government’s youth engagement strategy works for them.

“We’ll be going to festivals and events where young people are, social media will play a key role, and we have an easy-to-access online survey.

The Government’s Youth Steering Committee, made up of 15 diverse young people from across the nation, has played a key role in developing the discussion paper and consultation processes.

Building on work already underway to restore the trust young people have in government, the consultations and youth engagement strategy will ensure young people are able to have a say.

The Albanese Government has already re-established the Office for Youth, a dedicated unit within government to improve policies impacting young people, and appointed the Youth Steering Committee along with 40 young Australians to five Youth Advisory Groups.

Young people can register to attend a consultation session or participate in the online survey at youth.gov.au. There are also opportunities for people and organisations that work with young people to participate.