Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is the national peak body for youth affairs in Australia, representing young people and the services that work with them.[1]
As the peak body, AYAC advocates on issues of concern for young people and provides assistance to the youth sector through training, networking and professional development opportunities.
AYAC was established in 2002 following the de-funding of the previous peak body for youth affairs, the Australian Youth Policy and Action Coalition. AYAC did not receive any funding from the Australian Government between 2002 and 2008.
Objectives
The organisation's aims are as follows[2]
• To provide a body broadly representative of the issues and interests of young people and the youth affairs field in Australia. To advocate for a united Australia which respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, promotes human rights, and provides justice for all.
• To represent the rights and interests of young people in Australia, at both a national and an international level.
• To promote the elimination of poverty and to promote the well-being of young Australians, with a particular focus on those who are disadvantaged.
• Recognising the diversity of Australian society, to promote the cultural, social, economic, political, environmental and spiritual interests and participation of young people in all aspects of society.
• To advocate for, assist with and support the development of policy positions on issues affecting young people and the youth affairs field, and to provide policy advice, perspectives and advocacy to Governments and the broader community.
• To facilitate co-ordination and co-operation within the youth affairs field.
Funding of the Peak Body
In 1998, the Minister for Youth Affairs (the Hon.David Kemp MP) announced that the Australian Government would not renew AYPAC's contract but would instead fund the National Youth Roundtable as a way to engage young people.[3] This decision was widely criticised at the time, including by the then Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs (Senator Kate Lundy) who accused the Government of being "incapable of debating issues on an intellectual level, preferring to use the muzzle instead" [4]
Following the defunding of AYPAC, AYAC made a number of attempts to apply for funding between 2002 and 2007, however, the Government, through the Ministers for Youth (the Hon. Larry Anthony MP and the Hon. John Cobb MP) did not support these funding proposals.
In May 2007, the then Shadow Minister for Youth (the Hon. Tanya Plibsersek MP) announced that the ALP would establish a national peak body for youth if elected to government.[5]
Once elected to Government at the 2007 Federal Election, the ALP Government funded an initiative in their 2008-09 Budget which was launched in October 2008. At this launch, the Minister for Youth (the Hon Kate Ellis MP) announced that AYAC would be funded to the value of $400,000 per year as the peak body for youth affairs in Australia.[6] At the time, the Minister identified AYAC's role as "an independent voice and advocate of young people and the youth sector".
Governance
AYAC is governed by a Board of Directors, which receives expert policy advice from AYAC's Policy Advisory Council. The Board and PAC include representatives from state and territory youth peaks as well as the youth sector and young people elected from across Australia. The Board of Directors is a balanced representation of young people, youth organisations and youth-led organisations, and state and territory youth peak bodies. The work of AYAC is undertaken by a paid executive staff.
References
- ↑ http://www.ayac.org.au/
- ↑ http://www.ayac.org.au/about/index.html
- ↑ http://www.dest.gov.au/archive/ministers/kemp/k50_180698.htm
- ↑ http://www.katelundy.com.au/April1999.htm
- ↑ http://www.alp.org.au/download/now/03.05.07_tanya_plibersek___national_youth__affairs_conference.pdf
- ↑ http://mediacentre.dewr.gov.au/mediacentre/Ellis/Releases/LaunchofAustralianYouthForum.htm