The cost of living and housing, as well as climate change and the environment, are among the top concerns of Tasmanian young people, according to Mission Australia’s Annual Youth Survey. 55% of surveyed Tasmanian young people aged 15-19 are concerned about cost of living, 22% climate change and the environment and 21% housing and homelessness.
The cost of living crisis is hitting Tasmanian youth hard. Tasmanian young people are identifying that they’re having trouble paying for things like food, and they’ve needed to seek help to do so. The Liberals could be helping Tasmanian young people cope with the sky high cost of living, but instead they’re building a billion dollar stadium. It beggars belief.
Climate change and the environment are a key concern for Tasmanian youth. The need to reduce fossil fuel use and upscale renewable energy was emphasised by young people to reduce their risk from natural disasters such as bushfires. We’re in a climate crisis – it’s time the Liberal Government acted on climate change and made real emissions reductions in Lutruwita/Tasmania, including by stopping the logging of old growth forests.
It’s hard for Tasmanian young people to find safe and affordable housing. Is it any wonder, given that Nipaluna/Hobart is the second most expensive capital city in Australia, and our regional areas are not much better. The Liberals must ease young people’s housing pain by building more public houses, regulating Airbnb and giving renters real rights.
We owe it to our youth to act on the issues that matter to them, like the cost of living and housing crises, climate change and environmental issues. Image what the Liberals could do if they supported our young people, instead of a billion dollar stadium. The Liberal Government must act now to improve the lives and futures of Tasmanian young people.
