ROdown Blog
The Prime Minister wants to hear from you ...
Today Prime Minister Rudd and Kate Ellis, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Youth, launched the Prime Minster's blog. The Helping young Australians build their own futures blog is your chance to have your say about what will make a difference for young people in Australia.
So what does the PM want to talk to young people about?
The PM quotes in his blog:
We know that one in four young Australians aged between 16 and 24 have experienced mental health disorders in the previous 12 months, yet only a quarter of young people receive professional help.
Obesity is on the rise. The proportion of overweight and obese Australian children in the 5-17 age-group has increased from about 21% in 1995 to about 25% in 2007-08.
We're all concerned about street violence - often the result of one drink too many. Assaults have almost doubled since 1995 with young males and females aged between 15 and 24 having the highest rate of being victims of assault. About one in five men and one in six women aged between 18 and 24 drink alcohol to dangerous levels at least once a week.
Policies and programs for young Australians are spread across a whole lot of different government and community organisations, making it hard to get information and get involved. Health services and other youth programs are not always designed around young people's lives. It can be difficult to work out who to go to for help.
Young people have already told the government some things that would make a difference. Making it easier to get information, creating public spaces designed by and for young people, and providing more help to those who need it before problems get worse are just a few of the themes coming out of the Australian Youth Forum and the 2020 Youth Summit last year.
The Government is developing a plan for young Australians - with young Australians - so that all young Australians are safe, healthy, confident and resilient, with the skills and supports they need to build their own futures.
If you were Prime Minister for a day ... What would you do?
What would you do to:
- help our young people grow up safe, happy and resililient
- give young people the skills they need to learn, work and fully engage in community life ?
- reduce the physical and mental health risks facing young Australians, including negative body image, anxiety and depression, obesity and alcohol-fuelled violence?
- enable young people to accept responsibility for their actions and their behaviours?
- help young people to negotiate the challenges of today's society?
If you want to tell Kevin Rudd what you would do if you were Prime Minister for a day go to the PM's Blog and get writing. Here's your chance to have your say - don't miss out!
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3 Comments
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Ophelia.L
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportHm,
Becks
over 2 years ago
Reply ReportI posted what I would do if I was Prime Minister for a day! =)
I think its a great idea that Kate Ellis and Kevin Rudd are trying to do.
Chey
over 2 years ago
Reply Report:) :)
I just wrote in my lovely thoughts,Had to post it in 2 comments though cause theres a 2000 word limit each post grr.
I think its a good idea though.