Eleven students from schools across NSW have been chosen to join a new taskforce established to give regional youth a voice in Government.
Minister for Regional Youth, Bronnie Taylor welcomed members to their first Regional Youth Taskforce meeting recently, which provided a forum to discuss key issues facing young people in the regions and propose solutions.
“Young people are the experts on youth issues and this is an amazing, diverse group who are united by their desire to have the best chance at a great life in regional NSW,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Regional NSW is a fantastic place to live but there is an imbalance between the opportunities available to young people living in the regions, versus those living in Sydney, Wollongong or Newcastle,” she said.
“We don’t want to keep losing regional youth to our big cities and that’s why we have created this Regional Youth Taskforce, giving young people a strong voice that will shape NSW Government policy and service delivery.”
Mrs Taylor said 18 young people within the 12- to 24-year age group, two from each of NSW’s nine regional zones, were chosen from more than 300 applicants.
“Applications revealed a wide variety of issues important to young people in regional NSW, including mental health and youth suicide, digital connectivity, public transport, recreation facilities, drug use, and employment,” Mrs Taylor said.
