Youth Starting Out Wage

Press Release
For Immediate use**

The National Party’s policy on youth employment is just the first of many election issues that will ultimately affect the lives of half a million young Kiwis. Yet most of this discussion takes place between politicians and economists who are closer to their fiftieth birthday than their fifteenth. It is vitally important that young people are given a chance to have their voice heard this election.

With that in mind, the Otautahi Youth Council released an informal poll on Facebook asking young people of their opinion on the policy. Within 12 hours, the poll had 6200 responses, with roughly 4300 against and 1400 in support of the policy (the remainder being undecided). While it is impossible to confirm the exact proportion of young people represented in these opinions, the poll was promoted to young people and so it is fair to assume that it reflects their sentiments.

The fact that so many young people oppose a policy intended to help them demonstrates the lack of enthusiasm among decision makers towards consulting with young people on issues that will affect their future. No political party would ever introduce a policy targeted at any other social group without engaging in serious consultation. Yet if it’s a youth related policy, vox pops of startled teenagers is considered “giving them a say.” Ultimately, young people are being asked to accept a massive change to their rights without getting the chance to vote on it, while those who do have power will be largely unaffected by the policy. Frankly, that is unacceptable.

One initiative the OYC is undertaking is a voting website for young people in Christchurch to “cast a vote” in the general election and referendum this year. It can be viewed at:www.youthvote2011.co.nz.

The poll can be viewed at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/OtautahiYouthCouncil
ENDS

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