NATIONAL YOUTH WEEK

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Youth. What support is the government providing to assist young South Australians participating in National Youth Week?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling) (15:10): I thank the member for her very important question.

Ms Bedford interjecting:

The Hon. P. CAICA: Yes, I know; and you look young, too. National Youth Week commences this Saturday and runs for nine days until 13 April. Last week, I had the pleasure of launching the South Australian calendar of National Youth Week events in conjunction with the federal Minister for Youth, the Hon. Kate Ellis. I also acknowledge that the member for Unley, the shadow spokesperson for youth, was also in attendance, along with a couple of other members of parliament who obviously have—as we all do—an interest in matters relating to our young people.

I am really looking forward to working with a fellow South Australian (Kate Ellis) to ensure that our young people get the opportunities they need to actively participate in their communities. In the short time that this federal government has been in power, it has been an absolute pleasure to see the development of a cooperative working relationship based on respect—somewhat different from that which existed before November last year—and I welcome that.

Each year, National Youth Week provides a platform to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions made by young South Australians to their local communities and, indeed, for the benefit of our state as a whole. It also provides an opportunity for young people to engage with other people in their communities, to learn practical skills, to speak their mind on a variety of issues important to them, and also to have a lot of fun while they are undertaking these activities.

The government provides approximately $100,000 in funding to support National Youth Week events. This year, it is expected that over 15,000 young South Australians will take part in 112 official events, the highest number of events planned this year in any of the states throughout National Youth Week. This is a significant achievement and it reflects the strong partnerships being forged between youth advisory committees, local councils and the Office for Youth right across our state.

Through 59 youth advisory committees, young people are actively involved in the planning, implementation, management, participation and evaluation of all national youth events. They are events organised by young people for young people in their communities. Over 70 per cent of youth advisory committees are located in regional or remote South Australia, and every one of those committees is participating in National Youth Week 2008.

I am very pleased to report that this year the Roxby Downs community is participating in National Youth Week for the first time. This is a community with a significant youth population, and they are seeking to involve themselves in community activities and decision making, and any support that can be provided to them through the Office for Youth and through their local community is a very good thing.

National Youth Week also promotes collaboration between regional centres. Fifteen bands from Roxby Downs and towns in the Copper Triangle and the Riverland will be heading to Balaclava for the Battle of the Bands. This event has been made possible with the support of the Wakefield, Light, Goyder, Clare and Gilbert Valley regional councils, an outstanding collective cooperative.

There is always a wide range of events on offer as part of National Youth Week, such as workshops ranging from stand-up comedy to women's safety, mega-skate competitions, a mediaeval games, metal human sculptures, various forms of art and photographic competitions, learning how to publish a street magazine, and a host of music events, including several regional 'Small Days Out'.

This year's National Youth Week slogan, 'Shout. Share. Live. Unite.', aptly embodies a sense of community spirit, and I encourage all members in the chamber to support events in their local areas.