2020-07-01
By the Green Issue Editorial Team
The theme of June Green Issue is the Next Gen Guarantee. Unless supported by wealthy parents young people face increasingly daunting prospects of having a financially secure life in a favourable environment. Expansion of the gig economy and generally increasing work insecurity, the burden of a HECS-HELP debt for those wishing to further their education, increasing rental or purchase accommodation costs, etc. were mounting challenges even before COVID-19 struck. The pandemic has just exacerbated these challenges. But, on the other hand, the economic disruption caused by the pandemic does raise possibilities for realistically addressing these problems in the recovery phase. Thus The Greens are launching the Next Gen Guarantee, which is aimed at addressing these crises and carving out a better future for young people.
In this Green Issue we include articles addressing the problem of how to improve prospects for young people. First up we have an article from a very young person looking forward to a future she would like to see, and imploring us to allow that to happen. Then we have the tale of how our political leadership during this century has so far failed in trying to avert the climate catastrophe coming down the track, in which our young people will live out their lives. But, some older folks remain concerned at what their generation has failed to do, and are out there supporting climate action for the benefit of the young.
The challenges before the young are a manifestation of the wider social and economic problems facing all of society and there is a plea for solidarity between both ends of the age spectrum in effectively addressing them. An opportunity for higher education is fundamental to the advancement of the younger generation. However, the Government insistence that this be paid for predominantly with student fees and debt burdens is disputed by the Next Gen concept.
In this issue we include MP updates from our Members of the WA Legislative Council, Alison Xamon (North Metropolitan), Robin Chapple (Mining and Pastoral), Diane Evers (South West) and Tim Clifford (East Metropolitan).