CREATE in Victoria held another successful Hour of Power (HOP), providing young people with an out-of-home care experience the opportunity to interview key government representatives and child protection sector leaders, about what is important to them leading into the state election. This HOP empowered young people to use their voices to advocate for change.
CREATE Young Consultants Nakita, Ella, Emily, Hayley and Tobias shared their stories and asked the hard questions to the decision makers.
There was bipartisan support for funding Homestretch (care and support until 21) after the election.
Some of the main topics discussed were:
The importance of the voice of young people
Housing affordability
The age of criminal responsibility
Presented by CREATE Foundation, with the support of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, the 2022 Election HOP featured:
Minister Colin Brooks, Minister for Child Protection and Family Services; Minister for Disability, Aging and Carers;
Dr Matthew Bach, Shadow Minister for Child Protection and Youth Justice, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs;
Samantha Ratnam, Leader of the Victorian Greens Party;
Fiona Patten, Leader of the Reason Party;
Liana Buchan, Principle Commissioner for Children and Young People;
Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People;
Deb Tsobaris, CEO, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.
Well done to all the young people asking the hard questions and pushing the politicians to ensure their policies and commitments will improve the lives of young people in care.
