13 June 2002

Alliance Youth Policy: Vital, Vibrant And Ready To Take On The World!

Minister of Youth Affairs and Alliance Leader Laila Harré today announced the first of the Alliance’s Election 2002 policies – its Youth Policy.

Speaking at the launch in Christchuch today, Laila Harré said that “its beyond time that the energy and vitality of young New Zealanders was seen as their gift to our society and not as an affront needing to be controlled.

“All young New Zealanders should be supported in developing their potential, making life choices and using the skills they already have. This policy is about removing any barriers that prevent or inhibit that from happening.”

Laila Harré highlighted key priorities for the Alliance as part of a new government would be:

 A nationwide, commercial-free youth radio network
 The adult minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds and a minimum wage for under 16s
 Restoration of the Training Benefit for 16 and 17 year olds
 More youth health centres and health services in schools
 Free access to sexual and reproductive health information and promotion of condoms and lubricant use
 Enhanced youth participation in communities, schools and central government
 A harm minimisation approach to drug and alcohol use
 Repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act
 Continued implementation of the Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy and the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa

Laila Harré the policy was mostly the work of the youth wing of the Alliance, Staunch, and she wanted to thank them for all the ongoing energy and hard work that they have put into the Alliance.

“The Alliance is going into this election with an amazing field of young candidates and a youth policy that reflects what they know young people want and need. I hope that this will encourage more young people to give their party vote to the Alliance.”

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