The Minns Labor Government is platforming the voices of nearly 100 young people from across the state with the inaugural NSW Youth Summit taking place in Sydney today.
The NSW Youth Summit brings together participants aged 12-30 from diverse regional and metropolitan communities, backgrounds and life experiences who will talk directly with policymakers about the issues that matter most to them.
With more than a dozen key Ministers in attendance, the Youth Summit is an unprecedented opportunity for young people to speak truth to power, addressing the policies that impact their lives and shaping NSW's future. A Youth Summit Working Group made up entirely of young people led the design of the event, identifying the critical issues for discussion with Ministers and Commissioners including cost-of-living pressures, mental health, housing availability, climate change, education and employment.
The event highlights a transformative shift in how the Minns Labor Government welcomes input from young people, moving beyond traditional consultations towards a hands-on, real-time dialogue with decision-makers. More than half of the participants are from regional areas, over a third have faced mental health or substance use challenges, and more than 20% identify as LGBTQI+.
In a workshop to close out the day, Minister for Youth Rose Jackson will ask participants to share how they want to engage with the state government in the future, reflecting NSW's commitment to empowering young people and their role in shaping NSW.
With support from the Office for Regional Youth, the Advocate for Children and Young People, and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, the Youth Summit is proof that the NSW Government is committed to investing in and amplifying young voices.
Already, thousands of young people have been a part of the NSW Government's Your Voice, Our Future consultation. The online survey is open until Tuesday 31 December. To fill it out, go to: https://bit.ly/YourVoiceOurFuture-NSW
Minister for Youth Rose Jackson said:
"This is a historic moment for NSW. Today, young people from every corner of NSW have the chance to speak directly to government leaders, making sure their voices are heard loud and clear on the issues that affect their lives and futures.
"We're here not just to listen but also crucially to learn from young people and to bring their ideas into action. We are committed to making young people genuine partners in shaping policies that impact their communities.
"This Summit is the beginning of a stronger, ongoing relationship between young people and the Minns Labor Government, and this is an important step forward in guiding how we can engage with young people into the future.
"As Minister for Youth, I am committed to amplifying young people's voices and empowering them to play an active role in shaping government policies on the issues that matter most to them."
NSW Youth Summit Working Group member, 18-year-old Molly Croft from Dubbo said:
"Being part of the NSW Youth Summit Working Group is an incredible honour. It's a chance to ensure that the voices of young people, particularly those from rural and regional areas, are heard on key issues affecting us all.
"I'm particularly passionate about addressing the challenges faced by young people with disabilities, including those living with chronic illness.
"As someone who has lived with the effects of cancer and a disability, I understand firsthand the barriers to inclusion and access that exist. Whether it's education, employment or simply feeling a sense of belonging, these barriers can be significant.
"I hope to see tangible outcomes that address key issues raised during the Summit, including policy recommendations that promote inclusion, mental health support and better access to services for rural and regional youth."
Konrad Michalski, founder of Punters Politics said:
"Young punters know the issues that impact their lives better than anyone else and the challenges they are set to face in the coming years, and now we have the opportunity to directly shape solutions."
