“Young people do not earn enough to be able to provide for themselves on their own’’ – that was one comment from a survey that was conducted in South Western Sydney this year.
“I will be living at home for years to come as I have chosen to work in the health profession as a nurse, which means I will continue to be paid under what I should be for the work I contribute but also to support myself and a future family,” this survey respondent also said.
“It has gotten to the stage where I can’t ever see myself moving out because loans are hard to get and houses are expensive.’’
This comment was typical from the responses of the 222 young people aged between 18 and 26 who took part in the survey conducted by local member of parliament Anthony D’Adam in the seat of Holsworthy.
Mr D’Adam, who represents the Labor Party in the upper house, says the voices of young people are often overlooked in politics in Australia.
“Elected representatives must do better to engage young people in the political process and ensure that their views and concerns are considered by decision makers,’’ he said.
The report from the survey was launched at a community forum in Moorebank community centre on Saturday.
Mr D’Adam, along with his Labor colleagues Sophie Cotsis (shadow minister for industrial relations) and Julia Finn (shadow minister for youth) joined local young people for the launch.
In the survey, respondents were asked to outline issues facing NSW and their local community they were most concerned about.
Overwhelmingly the cost of living and housing affordability were nominated as key issues.
● 93 percent of respondents nominated cost of living as a top issue.
● 34 percent of respondents added that they struggle to keep up with the cost of living each week.
● 86 percent nominated housing affordability as a top issue of concern, with many expressing dismay about the inability of young people to enter the housing market. Only 3 percent of respondents owned their own home.
● 87 percent of people that completed the survey still live at home with their families.
● 66 percent of respondents said that casualisation and the gig economy have made jobs too insecure.
● 55 percent of people who completed the survey said they had been underpaid at work. A further 12 percent were unsure about whether they had been underpaid.
Other top issues included the cost of tolls, petrol, and public transport, climate change and the state of the environment, access to mental health support services, and the cost and accessibility of university and TAFE.
“This survey shows that young people struggle to make ends meet because of NSW’s insecure labour market, wage theft, and the state’s housing affordability crisis,’’ says Anthony D’Adam.
“The NSW Coalition Government has failed these young people.’’
Sophie Cotsis said Labor was listening to the concerns of young people.
“It is core Labor work to ensure that our young people are paid fairly, with access to supports and entitlements,’’ Ms Cotsis said.
“I am particularly proud of our plan that gives gig workers long overdue access to workers compensation as well as portable leave entitlements to community and disability workers, many of whom are young people.”
Julia Finn said the NSW government was not focused on young people.
“Young people across Western Sydney during the pandemic did not have a minister focused on the challenges they faced during such an important time in their lives,’’ Ms Finn said.
“This survey shows what is important to young people in Holsworthy.’’
