APY LANDS, YOUTH STRATEGY

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:54): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, representing the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, questions about the dropping of the Aboriginal youth strategy from the APY lands.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: A few months ago the government informed the APY lands authorities that no other townships, apart from Amata, will receive a youth strategy in the near future. After four years of delays, the government finally delivered on its promise of a youth strategy for Amata. The strategies, which were supposed to be an initiative for all six major APY communities to help tackle substance abuse, school attendance rates, crime and unemployment, have now been dropped from all other communities. According to experts, these strategies are vital to youth development on the APY lands and to stop the cycle of disadvantage. My questions are:

1. Why has the government abandoned Indigenous youth on the APY lands?

2. What alternatives is the government developing to assist youth on the APY lands?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I have been waiting for that. It had to happen. The honourable Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Thank you, Mr President. I thank the chamber for that entertaining interlude. I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I will take it to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation in another place and seek a response on his behalf.