ACTIVE8 PREMIER'S YOUTH CHALLENGE

Mr BIGNELL (Mawson) (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Youth. What is the government doing to support young people to engage with their community?

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling) (15:08): I thank the member for Mawson for his question and, in responding, I take the opportunity to draw members' attention to the active8 Premier's Youth Challenge program. Active8 is one of many outstanding programs supported by the Office for Youth. It aims to provide secondary school students with a range of challenging activities that promote self-reliance and self-confidence and engender a spirit of community service.

A few weeks ago, I was very pleased to announce that $2 million had been allocated for the next four years for this highly successful program. The grants per participant have also been increased this year by $50 to $450 or up to $225 for Australian Defence Force cadets.

Over the next four years, this funding will enable up to 4,000 South Australian secondary school students to be active in their community and present them with exciting challenges that can bring out their talents and teach them new skills.

The key to the success of active8 has been the partnerships formed between community organisations, government and non-government secondary schools and other host organisations. Some of the community organisations include Greening Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society, St John Ambulance, Ausmusic SA, Girl Guides SA and Scouts Australia, amongst others. Through their support, active8 participants have contributed almost 10,000 volunteering hours to South Australian communities over the past year.

The active8 program provides all participants with first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Participants are also required to complete eight hours of volunteering. Depending on the level of their activity, they can also receive accreditation towards their SSABSA school curriculum. On completion of the program, they each receive a certificate of recognition from the Premier of South Australia—something that I know they treasure.

In keeping with the government's social inclusion priorities, the program will continue to encourage the involvement of young people who may otherwise not have access to these opportunities. This includes young Aboriginal people, those who are at risk of disengaging from learning, those who may have become marginalised from their communities, those in the juvenile justice system, or those who have other special needs.

Some examples of the active8 program include assisting newly arrived young migrants to learn practical skills, such as swimming and water safety; young people being supported to contribute to their local community through conservation and emergency services volunteering; and young people with special needs being provided with outdoor education and exploration opportunities, thereby promoting their sense of independence. Active8 is an important government initiative aimed at building on and extending the range of skills, talents and abilities of young South Australians, and I know that every member of this chamber supports the activities that are undertaken by our young people in the active8 program.