- The Miles Government has released the Young Queenslanders Strategy to drive meaningful change for young people.
- The strategy will give Queensland's more than 900,000 young people the support they need to thrive.
- It will be delivered through action plans which will evolve over time - with the first to run from 2024 to 2026.
The strategy and its first whole-of-government action plan were created following consultation with the Youth Strategy Engagement Group and First Nations Youth Strategy Engagement Group.
Thousands of young people from right across the state had a chance to influence the strategy and action plan, including through Speak OUT events across Queensland.
Young Queenslanders shared their experiences and aspirations to build an understanding of their needs, now and into the future.
Young people said they want to feel safe, connected with community, and to have meaning in their lives.
While many young people feel they are well on their way to success, some feel they are unprepared for adulthood and want to obtain skills to better equip them for life.
The first action plan includes commitments that respond to the diverse needs of young Queenslanders and amplify their voices, including to:
- co-design a whole-of-government Youth Participation Framework and Code of Practice to ensure young people's views are heard, influence government policies and programs, and support their participation in decision-making
- enhance engagement with young people through Speak OUTs to facilitate information sharing across government to inform the development of youth policies, programs, and services
- develop resources that provide easier access to trusted information and advice for young people, including for life skills and grants funding processes, and
- through the Putting Queensland Kids First initiative, co-design, deliver, and evaluate a pilot leadership and development program to give young First Nations parents tools and skills to help their children become future leaders in their community.
As stated by Minister Leeanne Enoch:
"Young people are not just an important part of Queensland's future – but an important part of our communities today.
"The Young Queenslanders Strategy will help young people play a meaningful role in driving the changes needed for future success. This includes embracing cultural change so that we can establish truthful narratives and appreciate the rich, cultural tapestry our state and nation offers.
"I thank the many young Queenslanders who continue to share their unique perspectives and life experiences to inform government policy and decision-making, including those from marginalised communities and those young people who have additional vulnerabilities and risk factors they need to navigate.
"We recognise and value your diverse voices, which were integral to ensuring this strategy was developed by young people, for young people.
As stated by Hayes Butler – Youth Strategy Engagement Group :
"My name is Hayes, and I'm a 16-year-old member of the Youth Strategy Engagement Group living on the lands of the Jaggera and Turrbal people in Meanjiin/Brisbane.
"The opportunity to contribute to the Young Queenslanders Strategy is, I'm sure, an experience no one in the Youth Strategy Engagement Group or First Nations Youth Strategy Engagement Group will ever forget.
"Not only has being part of these groups empowered us to become further involved in different leadership initiatives, but it has also provided us with the special opportunity to draft a government strategy with the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts.
"To truly be able to design this document alongside the department was a special and unique opportunity."
Explainer/fast facts and/or further information:
- The Young Queenslanders Strategy can be viewed here: www.qld.gov.au/young-queenslanders-strategy
