Christchurch Young Labour Supports Youth Budget Initiatives

Christchurch Young Labour Supports Youth Budget Initiatives

Chair of Christchurch Young Labour, Anselm Williams, today welcomed the Labour/Progressive Government’s support for young people in the 2003 budget.

“Initiatives such as $55 million extra early childhood education, and $167 Million for an additional 774 teacher positions above that required for role growth, will have a huge impact on building a positive future for our young people”, Anselm Williams said.

“Christchurch Young Labour is particularly pleased with the additional funding for at risk youth”.

$13.2 million to combat youth suicide and drug abuse through initiatives such as the youth suicide prevention strategy, $400,000 for youth line, $4.6million for education and health assessments in Family Group Conferences for high-risk youth offenders, and $620,000 each year and a $250,000 one off capital injection for a Residential Drug Youth Rehabilitation centre in Christchurch,

“These are all significant investments in the health and wellbeing of our young people”, Anselm Williams said.

“However, Christchurch Young Labour remains concerned at the high level at which the fee maxima has been set. While we understand the principle of such a policy, in practice the policy could mean fee increases”, Anselm Williams Said.

“Christchurch Young Labour will monitor the situation closely, remains committed to and will continue to push within the Labour Party for policies that support a reduction in fee levels in real terms”, Anselm Williams said.

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