Young people plan alternatives

Young people plan alternatives

By Sean Malloy

In response to Keating's "youth" unemployment summit, young people are planning a series of actions and demonstrations around the country and outside Parliament House in Canberra.

James Basle, Canberra Resistance organiser, said that decisions to initiate actions were taken at the Resistance national conference held in the first week of July in Melbourne.

"We decided to organise a national day of action for July 22 and to launch a bill of rights on the 21st, which we will present to parliament the following morning", he said.

"The bill of rights has been drafted by Resistance in consultation with young people and various youth groups. It takes up young people's rights, such as the right to a decent income, the right to equality, the right to a real freedom of choice."

"At the moment young people don't have much of a choice when it comes to Liberal or Labour; they are offering the same package of reduced wages and long-term poverty."

Resistance, unemployed groups and student groups will be organising soup kitchens, rallies and other actions in each capital city.

On the day of the summit itself Jobless Action in Canberra has initiated an Alternative Youth Summit to be held on the lawns opposite Parliament House. A demonstration in the same area has been called for 1 p.m.

Basle viewed the summit as "a private meeting which is not intended to help young people or create jobs. Job creation isn't even on the agenda, nor is homelessness, health care, income support.

"Young people need a real alternative to the Liberal/Labor sameness, and if there isn't one available, we'll have to make one ourselves."

From GLW issue 63