The Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) today announced its Policy Priorities – WA State Election 2025.
Emerging from consultation with young people and the youth sector are YACWA’s five key priorities.
1. Provide cost of living and housing support to young people.
2. Prioritise prevention and early intervention for young people.
3. Create a strong and sustainable youth sector.
4. Commit to a total overhaul and reformation of WA’s youth justice system, from community to detention.
5. Embed and amplify the voices of young people with lived experience in government decision making and service delivery.
Young people are disproportionately burdened by the rising cost of living, ultimately causing financial and mental stress, with YACWA’s recommendations include rent stabilisation measures, abolition of no reason evictions, commitment to the implementation of a WA Housing First for Youth model and to establish more Youth Foyers.
Prevention services are vital in stopping youth issues escalating into crises and reducing pressure on mental health, homelessness and family and domestic violence services. YACWA recommends an increase in prevention and early intervention place-based community services and programs for young people, and create a sustainable funding method for early intervention programs.
The community service sector is under immense pressure to sustain services due to rising demand for support. To create a strong and sustainable youth sector, YACWA sees a way forward through funding additional youth worker positions in schools and the community service sector.
With the death of two young people in one year at Unit 18 in Casuarina Prison, YACWA’s calling for a complete overhaul of the youth justice system through the immediate closure of Unit 18 and the implementation of recommendations from Social Reinvestment WA’s Blueprint for a Better Future: Paving the Way for Youth Justice Reform in WA.
Finally, YACWA recommends co-design of policy, plans and services with young people and supporting local governments to develop youth plans and strategies directly with young people to amplify their voices.
For more information or media inquiries please contact Policy and Advocacy Officer Claudia Carles.
claudiacarles@yacwa.org.au
(08) 9227 5440
30 October 2024
