Voice from Young in Regional Youth Taskforce

Local 13-year-old Khawlah Asmaa Albaf has been selected to represent her peers on the NSW Government’s Regional Youth Taskforce.

Khawlah will provide a ‘young voice from Young’ on the taskforce as one of 18 new Regional Youth Taskforce members.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she was thrilled that Khawlah was chosen from over 300 applicants. “Having a local member on the Taskforce will ensure the issues facing young people across the Cootamundra electorate are heard and considered by Government,” Ms Cooke said.

“Khawlah is an inspirational young leader who can speak to the issues that matter to our young people. Boredom, self-harm and alcohol abuse among young people are issues that she believes require further attention. She has a rich wealth of ideas and I truly believe the entire electorate will be exceptionally represented by her participation in this fantastic NSW Government project.”

“With a direct line to the Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Youth Bronnie Taylor, I can’t wait to see what she achieves,” Ms Cooke added.

Minister for Regional Youth Bronnie Taylor welcomed members to their first Regional Youth Taskforce meeting recently, where they discussed the key issues facing young people in the regions and proposed solutions. “Regional NSW is a fantastic place to live but there is an imbalance between the opportunities available to young people living in the regions, versus those living in Sydney, Wollongong or Newcastle,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Young people are the experts on youth issues and this is an amazing, diverse group who are united by their desire to have the best chance at a great life in regional NSW.”

The Regional Youth Taskforce will meet four times a year, twice in person and twice via video conference.

Further information on the Taskforce can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/RegionalYouthTaskforce

The NSW Government is also currently reviewing applications to Round Three of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, with half of the available $100 million funding to be allocated to youth related projects and programs across regional NSW.

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• Steph Cooke