The Scoop Newsletter
August 2016
YACSA Update Hello and welcome to edition # 11 of The Scoop Big news this month: the Government has announced its intention to create a Commissioner for Children and Young People in SA (finally!). It’s back on the agenda because of the recent inquiry into SA’s child protection systems. Commissioner Nyland’s report, The Life They Deserve, includes a number of recommendations that relate to instituting the role. In fact, the Government has declared an intention to take a draft Bill for the establishment of a Commissioner to Parliament during the first sitting week after the winter break. This is both good and bad news. The good news is that after 14 years of waiting and three previous draft Bills (plus one Opposition Bill), it looks like it’s finally going to happen. YACSA has advocated for the establishment of a Commissioner since 2002; as long as the Labor Government has been in power. The bad news is – well, there’s quite a bit of bad news so you can read all about it in our statement on page 6.
contents YACSA Update
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Opinion: Mirror, Mirror
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Youth Action on Poverty
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Statement: So, what’s a Commissioner for Children and Young People? Their primary role is to Commissioner for represent and advocate with and for the rights and interests of children and young Children & Young People people aged 12 – 18 years. In 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) established the first legally binding instrument to protect the rights of children and young people. The convention protects rights by setting basic standards in health care, education and legal, civil, and social services (United Nations, 1989). Australia ratified the convention in 1990 (although it’s not legally binding) and since then, most states and territories have created a commissioner or advocate. Except South Australia, that is.
Handy Hansard
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Opportunities
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We’ll be making some noise about this in the coming weeks and months – mostly we’ll be urging the government to slow down, take a deep breath, and talk to young people and the sector that supports them before taking the next step. Given the significant and deliberate delay, we think it’s much more important to get this right than to get it done. Cheers Anne
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The Scoop August 2016
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Opinion: Mirror, Mirror We don't have much to be proud of as Australians this month, as news of abuse, torture and barbaric conditions have been revealed in some of our major institutions.
This month has seen some shocking evidence emerge of the abuse of children and young people within several Australianrun organisations: Don Dale, Nauru and the Royal Commission into Families SA. While the Royal Commission and the Nauru Files have certainly started conversations around the nation about the abuse of the children and young people in our care, by far the most talked about incident has been the footage that emerged from the Four Corners story that aired on July 25. The nation sat transfixed by the brutal images of young people in the Northern Territory’s Don Dale Youth Detention Centre being beaten, teargassed, bound and gagged. Many have drawn comparisons to Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib – but this is not occurring in some far off land, it is happening on our own soil. The shock and outrage felt by all levels of the community in the wake of the Four Corners program has prompted a Royal Commission and resignations of several implicated officials. But the incidents featured in the footage had already been reported on as much as a year earlier – why did it take the public seeing it with our own eyes for action to occur? It may be true that an image speaks a thousand words. From the picture of a young girl covered in napalm that brought worldwide attention to the war in Vietnam to the striking image of the Unknown Protester in Tiananmen Square, images have the power to convey simple, powerful and unpalatable truths that can be harder to comprehend when spelled out in words, facts or figures. In a world where videos and images are much more ‘shareable’ content than reams of text, the media wields significant power (and accompanying responsibility) in the shaping of the stories around such visuals. 2
The Scoop August 2016
The Four Corners crew have used that power for good in bringing to light the footage of abuse at Don Dale, as have the Guardian newspaper in releasing the Nauru files. In both instances, these outlets are revealing what is happening behind the closed doors of Australianrun institutions from which the public has been deliberately shut out. Whether or not these abuses were known about or sanctioned by the Australian government remains to be seen. However, it is undeniable that these systems, designed to protect, rehabilitate or rehome children and young people, are deeply flawed if these kinds of atrocities can occur unchecked. The media’s job is to hold our governments and institutions to account, to hold up a mirror to those things that we may not want to read about. It shouldn’t be necessary for the Australian public to bear witness such behaviour for action to be taken, but perhaps it’s the only way we can truly comprehend the extent of the injustice happening in this country. A picture might say a thousand words, but it’s up to us to harness the power of those images and turn them into action. nnie Waters
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Want to know more? 1 The Conversation has a good range of articles relating to the Don Dale abuses and the wider issue of overrepresentation of indigenous people in incarceration (especially young people). 2
After breaking the Nauru files, the Guardian are keeping a comprehensive account of reactions and updates concerning offshore detention. And you can read YACSA's position on the Royal Commission into Child Protection on our 3 4 website , or the report itself here . The Scoop August 2016
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Youth Action on Poverty During the 2016 federal election campaign, young people across the country campaigned around the issues of ustralian Aid and poverty as part of Oaktree's national Stakeout. We spoke to some of the South Australian
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participants about their motivation for getting involved and how they found the experience.
Meredith, 18 "I've wanted to be involved in some organisation for a while as I believe actions speak louder than words... Instead of thinking about poverty I should DO something, because poverty is the core of most problems, such as health, education, homes, water etc."
Jacinta, 22 "I think it's really important that people are informed about the issue of aid before the election. Most people don't know how much we do give or about the massive cuts we've seen recently."
Oaktree is a national youthled organisation dedicated to ending extreme poverty around the world. The Stakeout saw over 500 young people between the ages of 16 and 26, campaigning in some of the most marginal electorates in the country. “The Australian aid budget has hit its lowest level ever. Now is the time for us to stand up and call on our political leaders to better reflect what we value,” says Oaktree CEO, Chris Wallace. To find out more about what Oaktree do, or how to get involved in your community, check 5 out their website . 4
The Scoop August 2016
Lesley, 18 "I came: for the cause, the need for social justice and equal opportunities for everyone, and the belief that we can enact change in order to influence lives internationally."
Vy, 19 "I wanted to contribute to the movement to increase public support for Australian aid; to create change and make a positive impact; to spread awareness of cuts to foreign aid and how low our contribution is; and help frame this issue as one of justice not charity."
The Scoop August 2016
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Statement on the Commissioner for Children and Young People There’s been a fair bit of mainstream and social media commentary about the Government’s intention to establish a Commissioner for Children and Young People of late. The report from the recent Royal Commission into SA’s child protection systems, The Life They Deserve , includes a number of recommendations that relate to establishing the role. YACSA is currently preparing a response to the state government. In the meantime, 6
download the draft bill and provide your feedback while you're there. YACSA welcomes the creation of a Commissioner for Children and Young People and maintains that this role is crucial to advocate for and protect the interests of all children and young people across South Australia. As the peak body that represents young people aged 1225 years and the nongovernment youth sector, we support the fundamental right of all young people to participate in and contribute to all aspects of community life, particularly the decisionmaking processes which impact them directly. While young people are expected to assume many responsibilities in our society, the same society can devalue their contribution and fail to recognise their position as stakeholders in civil, political, economic, social, and cultural life, simply because of their age. This is especially the case for young people experiencing social disadvantage, whose voices are rarely heard in political debate, and whose issues and interests may be ignored or even denounced for political gain. YACSA has advocated for the establishment of a Commissioner for a number of years and we strongly support the independence of this role from the government. We have provided comment on all government discussion papers and draft legislation to date, as well as the Opposition’s draft legislation. We are concerned that the current public discussion of this issue is being subsumed by the reform of the formal child protection system. While both the Layton and Nyland reviews recommended the establishment of a Commissioner, the role should not be considered only in this context. The Premier’s own media release blurs the boundaries by suggesting the Commissioner will have a role in identifying and evaluating how the collaborative approach to fixing the child protection system is working. The Commissioner for Children and Young People must engage and advocate with and for all children and young people – not just those in the child protection system. Children and young people should direct the work of the Commissioner – not the government or nongovernment organisations or parents or carers. We are also concerned about the new found sense of urgency to establish the role. Despite significant and deliberate delay, the government has released an extract of the draft Bill that supports the creation of the Commissioner and has given the public 8 working days to respond. The Premier hopes the Bill will be passed in the first sitting week after the winter break. We urge the Government to follow through on their commitment to work with the nongovernment sector and stakeholders and allocate sufficient time to fully consider the complete legislative framework that will support this important and long overdue role.
To read YACSA's take on the Royal Commission report, The Life They Deserve, check out our website 6
The Scoop August 2016
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Handy Hansard Hansard is the official report of the debates and proceedings of the SA parliament. We like it because we can see who’s been saying what about youth affairs and young people. You can access it yourself and search for terms, but we look at it regularly so we will provide a snapshot for you in this section of the newsletter. This month, Rachel Sanderson MP (in her roles as Shadow Minister for Families and Child Protection, Social Housing and Volunteers and Youth) challenged the government in Estimates over its performance in these areas. Read the whole thing here, or just the highlights below. First up at the plate was Child Protection, and the merging of three northern offices: We know also that, despite staff being overwhelmed and overworked—and there are endless reports to many of our electorate offices of staff who are not coping with too big a workload—instead of putting the money into the staff and staffing levels, the government could find $15 million to merge three offices (Elizabeth, Salisbury and Gawler) into a mega office, spending $15 million to build that. I do not know where the government comes up with their ideas; they just make an announcement. Perhaps they needed to show that they were doing something as a bit of a distraction, 'Let's announce $15 million so that people will focus on that, as if we are doing something for child protection.' ... I question why they did not wait for the royal commissioner to have her say before announcing a $15 million capital work. It just seems crazy because the government has been unable to announce anything else, including a children's commissioner, for the last two years on the basis that they are waiting for the royal commissioner's findings, yet they can somehow announce $15 million.
nd, finally, she asked about the success of
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youth unemployment programs. YACSA said from their surveying of youth that the number one most important thing they are concerned about is unemployment. We found out in estimates that 177 young people participated [in the Successful Transitions Program]. There were 255 referred to the program—I am not sure how the referrals are done—but only 177 of those actually participated. Unfortunately, the minister could not tell me how many of those 177 gained employment and what type of employment because we know that we have an underemployment issue as well in our state.
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as well as the growing number of people in care.
We know that the number in state care is at an alltime record high of 3,234 children and young people, up from 2,838 the previous year, which is a 14 per cent increase. We know that residential care is up now to 289, up from 266, which we know pretty well must be at capacity because emergency accommodation is now averaging 190 children, which is just incredible, and they have an average stay—that is an average, not a maximum—of 157 days, with 156 of the children staying for more than 30 days.
Then MP Sanderson dug into the merging of the youth, volunteering and multicultural portfolios. Certainly the stakeholders in those areas are questioning why they have been put together and whether that will mean there is a lack of focus on their very important areas because they are combined. So it is completely impossible to compare the FTEs and work out how many work in what area, which is what the stakeholders were wanting me to establish: how many people are really working on youth policy? How many people are really working on volunteering and what are they doing? The way this has all been merged, it is impossible to work out what exactly is happening and how those communities are being supported. The Scoop August 2016
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Opportunities SMART Recovery Red Cross Private Rental Bureau When: Every Wednesday from 11.00pm to 2.00pm, at 212 Pirie Street Adelaide. During your prebooked appointment our team will assist you to: Search for housing Understand the forms and processes Increase your chances in the private rental market Coordinate getting to Inspections Develop your tenancy knowledge Call Reception on 8100 4500 to book in yourself or obtain a referral form.
For who: Young people aged 1625 with problem behaviour related to alcohol & other drugs, gambling, Internet use & gaming, food, shopping, or anything else. By who: Trained facilitators from headspace Woodville and Centacare’s Integrated Youth Substance Misuse Specialist Service When: Every Monday from 45.30pm, starting from the 26th September 2016 Where: headspace Woodville, 888 Port Road, Woodville Contact: headspacewoodville@centacare.org.au
BC Heywire Competition
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The 2016 Heywire Competition Neo-teenLab is open to young people aged Friday 7 October, 68pm 1622 years, who live outside Art Gallery of South Australia North Terrace, Adelaide the big cities. Enter your story FREE | 13–17 year olds and be part of something big. Registrations open Thursday 1 September Entries close 16 September Do you want to see your opportunity for young people here, 2016. 8
The Scoop August 2016
or do you have an idea for content you'd like to see in The Scoop? Get in touch with us at scoop@yacsa.com.au
Opportunities
YOUR YOUTH SUPPORT officially has an office and are located at Level 1, 32 Adelaide Road Murray Bridge. Located right across from Maccas and above Eagles Boys and Subway. If you are looking for counselling, tutoring, job support or career support send us an email at admin@youthhelpmb.com or call our director Aaron on 0481853038 for further information.
Rainbow Calendar Project The Rainbow Calendar Project is running its second photography competition and FREE calendar, to create an LGBTIQ+ resource featuring queerrelated photography and stories showcasing our community. This year's theme is 'Queer Life'. Twelve photographs will form the 2017 printed calendar, to be distributed throughout Australia whilst also featuring alongside 12 additional photographs in an exhibition as part of the Feast Festival. There are also prizes packs to be won for the top 3 images as selected by the judging panel. Click here for more information!
Urban Youth Services URBAN Youth provides early intervention and prevention services to young people aged 1025 years who need support. Case workers will deliver interactive groupbased programs, case management services, onsite and outreach support around metropolitan Adelaide to help young people: Complete and/or reconnect with their education Build their resilience Address and manage mental health issues Maintain a stable financial situation Develop practical skills that foster a good life Feel connected with and participate in their local community Access other community services and supports Participate in youthled events For more information click here.
SSAYiT SSAYiT is a support program for young people living with acquired brain injury (ABI) or a disability that impacts on cognitive functioning to connect into employment, education and their community. SSAYiT will be delivered in six 10week programs from 2016 to 2018. For more information visit the Brain Injury SA website. The Scoop August 2016
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