The Greens believe that every young person has something special and unique to contribute to our community and that each one of us is the poorer while opportunities are denied to young people. These opportunities can best be realised by creating a community in which each young person has a sense of his or her own worth.

Young people embody Tasmania’s future. The Tasmanian Greens acknowledge that many young people wish to leave the state in order to obtain employment or to gain a wider perspective on the world. Providing incentives for these people to stay, and attracting them back to Tasmania after they leave, must be a major policy objective of government.

The determining factors in whether young people stay in the state, find rewarding employment and secure a meaningful place in the community, include access to secure and affordable long term housing, appropriate education and training, diverse cultural and recreational facilities, reliable and affordable transport, adequate health services and comprehensive information about all services available to young people.

The inclusion of youth interests in public policy decision-making is therefore vital and we strongly believe that for all this to occur young people must be closely consulted and involved with the development and implementation of any proposals that affect them.

We oppose all forms of ageism and encourage greater public participation by giving 16  and 17 year olds the option of voting in state and local elections.

Measures:

Employment: develop a state employment strategy for young people, to be administered at a local level, which facilitates community development and creates employment opportunities for young people; give cognisance to young people when formulating economic and employment strategies

Health: engage with young people in developing strategies that deal with youth suicide and mental health problems; provide comprehensive health programs for young people throughout schools, hospitals and community health clinics; create a system of residential services for young people with drug and alcohol related issues

Education:  engage with students, teachers and communities in developing programs that prepare young people for future social responsibilities and employment; provide opportunities for single parents to participate in education programs by establishing child care facilities in associated institutions

Public Transport: reduce the disadvantages faced by young people in regional areas who do not have access to personal transport by broadening the public transport system to redress the inequities

Community Engagement:  encourage the participation of young people in community activities; develop programs which create an awareness of voluntary organisations, promoting participation and providing experience in volunteering

Mentoring Programs: expand mentoring programs where young people are mentored by Tasmanians with proven experience and success in relevant areas, particularly the small business sector

Sexual Assault Support Services: ensure that support services throughout the state are funded so that immediate care can be given to abused youth, particularly in providing immediate care for the sexually abused

Voting Age: introduce legislation which allows optional voting for 16 and 17 year olds where, once on the electoral roll, voting then becomes compulsory, as it does for all other constituents