Liberal wants youth work camps

Liberal wants youth work camps

By Catherine Gough-Brady

ADELAIDE — Peter Lewis, Liberal member for the state seat of Murray-Mallee, is proposing compulsory back-to-nature work camps for unemployed youth. Claiming there has been "a drop in society discipline", Lewis plans to rectify this by setting up army-style camps where "their day would be organised".

Lewis says the youths would be issued army clothes on arrival and put through "early to bed, early to rise" fitness programs. They would not receive the dole or any other payment except for some pocket money.

Lewis thinks the camps could last up to a year: "I have no difficulty with a year, and it would certainly be longer than three months". The proposal will be debated at this month's annual general meeting of the Liberal Party state council.

From GLW issue 24