Andy Grodecki has announced a number of positive policy statements that relate directly to the young people of our area. These include; • Funding for Youth Workers for Jimboomba, Beaudesert and Boonah to work with young people in accessing training, entertainment, recreation and employment opportunities. • Trialing of Queensland Job Guarantee (Full employment) Program in the Beaudesert electorate delivering paid employment and training for the young and long-term unemployed to provide environment and personal care services. • Support active and healthy lifestyles by funding the establishment of the Logan Valley Rail Trail along the old Beaudesert-Bethania railway for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. • Better health and community services 
Unfortunately young people have a higher incidence of some types of mental illness. We will establish Community Mental Health Centres with 24/7 psychiatric nursing support at Boonah, Beaudesert, Jimboomba and Tamborine Mountain. Regular affordable public transport 
• Free public transport for young people
• On-demand buses to service local business centres;
• Hourly services for Beaudesert to Browns Plains;
• Services for Boonah to Ipswich;
• East-west services Boonah to Nerang; 
• Flexi-flyer service Beaudesert to Logan;
• Passenger services on all rail stations to Bromelton;
• Park-n-ride at all major stops along these routes.
• Long-term funding for a ‘Transport Coordinator.  Andy Grodecki is committed to involving, engaging and consulting with young people and we believe it is the responsibility of all levels of government to help facilitate this process. Andy rejects the ongoing media climate in which young people are routinely characterised as criminal or at risk of becoming so. Goals Andy Grodecki has the following goals as priorities for young people • young people  to be engaged in decision-making about policies and programs that affect their future • cooperation and communication between young people and other age groups • the presence of young people in our public spaces to be regarded as normal • a united community, that embraces young people as the capable custodians of our future  Initiatives Andy will initiate and support legislation and actions that:  • consult with peak youth organisations on youth policies and programs • increase the resourcing of youth organisations and peak youth agencies • increase local employment opportunities by promoting local provision of goods and services using local resources Andy will initiate, encourage and support legislation and actions to: • encourage communication and cooperation between government departments on issues and projects involving young people • reverse the erosion of the public education system under federal and state governments and enhance the availability and accessibility of vocational education • improve access to post-secondary and tertiary education for regional youth • promote fulfilling and socially-useful vocations, not simply those with the greatest financial rewards • provide more accessible pathways to employment and training • address the specific physical and mental health needs of young people, including  in the areas of self esteem, evidence based drug education and sexual health • support cultural programs which generate respect for Aboriginal people and cultural diversity. • ensure that recreational, cultural, artistic and sporting activities are affordable and accessible and include a range of activities which address the needs and aspirations of all young people • provide anti-bullying programs in schools that highlight mediation and restorative practices amongst all members of the school community. • minimise the involvement of young people in the criminal justice system, by supporting a shift away from imprisonment for minor crimes and promoting community based reparation programs as an alternative to prison • oppose mandatory sentencing of young people • protect the rights of young people at work including the right to fair pay and conditions • improve access to secure, affordable and appropriate long term housing • increase funding of the Supported Assistance Accommodation Program (SAAP) services that accommodate homeless young people • improve access to reliable and affordable public transport • abolish fees and HELP1 for domestic university students • increase the parental income test threshold so that the majority of full-time university and TAFE students qualify for Youth Allowance, reducing the need to work during term time • raise the Youth Allowance rate to reflect the cost of rental accommodation and living expenses • develop public spaces and recreational facilities that are safe, accessible, affordable and welcoming of young people, and that provide the opportunity for young people to socialise with their peers • strengthen networks of agencies that provide support to young people with disabilities Footnote

1.    HELP - formerly known as the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)
This website is authorised and published by Andy Grodecki - 73 The Grange Road Gleneagle.
 
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owners.
Comments are property of the poster, all the rest © 2009 Andy Grodecki.
Site design by Andy Grodecki.