Climate, violence and prejudice top students’ concern list

Climate, violence and prejudice top students’ concern list

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Local students from the South Metropolitan region and member for Burt Matt Keogh at the youth forum earlier this year. Photograph - Aaron Van Rongen.

Earlier this year local students raised their concerns at the Burt Youth Leaders Forum and decided the government’s top priorities for the youth community.

Climate change, family and domestic violence, stereotypes and prejudice and mental illness and wellness were the top four priorities that students determined during the event.

Member for Burt Matt Keogh, who has been hosting the event for three consecutive years, put together a report to present these issues to the WA premier, the prime minister and the opposition leader.

Last week Mr Keogh met with the opposition leader Anthony Albanese and handed over the report to contribute some of the student’s efforts to prioritise their main concerns.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese and member for Burt Matt Keogh with the Burt Youth Forum 2020 report.

“Labor Leader Anthony Albanese was very interested to receive the report and hear what our young people see as priority issues, as well as the innovation of holding our forum,” he said.

“I’d like to thank all the students who were involved in this year’s youth forum.

“As one of the last ‘normal’ activities we were able to do before the COVID-19 lockdown, I think the importance of approaching situations differently and thinking about the change we can all inspire in the world was a really important learning opportunity ahead of the crisis we have all just experienced.

“This forum has been an annual event since 2017 and I spend a lot of time visiting schools across the electorate so if any students, or schools for that matter would like to undertake more opportunities like the Burt Youth Forum I very much encourage them to get in touch.”

Some of this year’s participants included schools like Canning Vale College, Lumen Christi College, Southern River College, Armadale Senior High School and many more.

Anyone interested in participating in a coming forum can contact matt.keogh.mp@aph.gov.au.