• Simon Monk will re-establish a Youth Advisory Committee
• Council’s average age is 57 – Young People are missing out on a Voice
Labor Candidate for Hobart City Council, Simon Monk, today announced his plan to give young people a direct say in Hobart City Council decisions.
As part of his campaign to see council listen better to local communities, Mr Monk will push for Hobart City Council to re-establish a Youth Advisory Committee with direct influence on Council decisions.
“I want young people to have a stake in their city and a voice on their Council,” Said Mr Monk.
“Hobart City Council needs to re-engage with young people in a genuine way which lets them comment on all issues before Council, and refer their ideas to Aldermen for debate.”
Mr Monk also revealed that the average age of Hobart’s Alderman is 57, with Councillors aged between 46 and 83 years old.
“Without broader representation on Council, young people and young families miss out on having their voices heard.”
Mr Monk said since the Futures Youth Advisory Committee was abolished in 2010, Council has lost touch with young people.
“Other than consulting some school SRCs just once this year, young people haven’t had a say in Council decisions.”
“Decisions about support services like Youth ARC, Christmas celebrations in Salamanca, street activities and music events continue to be made without young people having a voice.”
“As a 26-year old youth advocate, I know how important it is for young people to have a place at the table.”
Michael Cordover, a former Futures Youth Advisory Committee member, said that ongoing communication between Council and young people was essential for good decision-making.
“The current make up of Council would make you think that over-50s had a monopoly on community ideas,” said Mr Cordover.
“Young people have a lot to contribute to local government, and local government could contribute a lot to their lives.
“I am very supportive of a youth committee that has a broad mandate and the power to directly refer issues to Aldermen for debate.”
Mr Monk said that bringing the focus of Council back to where people lived meant thinking about all residents, including young people.
“I am committed to giving young people an opportunity to genuinely engage in the local decisions that affect their lives and where they live.” Simon’s Positive Agenda for Young People includes: 1. Re-establishing the Hobart City Council Youth Advisory Committee for young people between the ages of 15 – 27 by Youth Week 2012; 2. Giving the HCC Youth Advisory Committee call in powers and rights of referral on all Council motions; 3. Giving the HCC Youth Committee advisory membership on all Council subcommittees and member positions on events committees such as the Taste Festival, New Year’s Eve and Christmas Celebrations; 4. Establishing direct HCC Youth Committee consultation with youth community organisations such as YNOT, UN Youth Tasmania, Tasmanian Youth Parliament, Oaktree Foundation, TUU and others; and 5. Committing to ongoing support and funding of the Youth Action Resource Centre (Youth ARC).
