Premier's and Minister's forewords
Premier’s foreword
Young people are an essential part of Queensland's future success. We owe it to them to nurture their dreams and aspirations for a better future.
Queensland is home to over 911,158 young people. All are active participants in our communities, individually and collectively navigating their way through life's many twists, turns and choices.
Whether it’s building new relationships or skills, starting your first or fourth job, moving out of home and into the rental market or purchasing your first property, tackling school or university, or learning to drive – every chapter in each person’s story plays a key part in who they are, how they connect, and how they thrive.
The Queensland Government wants young people from all backgrounds to be capable of moving through life with courage and autonomy.
To do this, young people need to be supported with resources to help them learn, change, and grow over time.
Our young people deserve a seat at the decision-making table, and genuine opportunities to work collaboratively with government to create innovative solutions for the issues that impact them now, and into the future.
In 2017, the Queensland Government released the Queensland Youth Strategy: Building young Queenslanders for a global future which set the vision for young people to actively engage in Queensland's economic, civic and cultural life.
Further, the delivery of the 2019 Youth Engagement Charter committed the Queensland Government to genuine engagement with young people to ensure their contributions in the development of policy, programs and services were valued.
We have heard what young people have to say, and now it is time for us to act, not just through co-design but also by responding to the diverse needs and interests that young people have identified.
The Young Queenslanders Strategy elevates the unique perspectives and experiences of Queensland’s young people and provides a meaningful co-designed framework to support the Queensland Government's actions moving forward.
The Hon Steven Miles MP
Premier of Queensland
Minister’s foreword
The Queensland Government is taking meaningful steps to support young people and help them embrace their futures with confidence. We want young people to feel empowered so they can participate in society, live their best lives, and thrive in our communities.
The Young Queenslanders Strategy provides a framework for government to meet young people aged 12 to 25 where they live and empower them to achieve their potential with confidence as they move forward through life.
This strategy will help young people play a meaningful role in driving the changes needed for future success. This includes embracing cultural change so that we can establish truthful narratives and appreciate the rich, cultural tapestry our state and nation offers.
As a proud Nunukul / Nughi woman of the Quandamooka nation, which takes in the islands and waters of Moreton Bay, I encourage all Queenslanders to embrace this change, especially our young people who will be responsible for carrying the process of reconciliation and healing forward.
I wholeheartedly believe that fostering innovative, meaningful, and authentic collaboration with our young people will be a key driver for numerous advancements in our state. This fearless collaboration and collective journey will pave the way towards a shift in how we design and implement Queensland Government policies, programs, and services.
Through collaboration we will create an environment in which all can thrive and help us meet our obligations flowing from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
I thank the many young Queenslanders who continue to share their unique perspectives and life experiences to inform government policy and decision-making, including those from marginalised communities and those young people who have additional vulnerabilities and risk factors that they need to navigate.
We recognise and value your diverse voices, which were integral to ensuring this strategy was developed by young people, for young people.
The Hon Leeanne Enoch MP
Minister for Treaty
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
Minister for Communities
Minister for the Arts