PROBLEMS OF YOUTH TARGETED

Young people who "fall between the cracks", especially in the regions,
will be the focus of the Prime Minister's latest "social coalition" of
business, community and government.

In Canberra last night, Mr Howard opened another front for tackling
youth unemployment, homelessness, drug abuse and suicide: the Youth
Pathways Action Plan task force, chaired by the Salvation Army's
Captain David Eldridge.

The new body will look at government programs available to
school-leavers and determine whether those services might be better
linked to each other and to outside assistance and business needs.

Mr Howard directed the task force to look at disadvantaged youth and
find creative new ways which expand their opportunities "to fully
participate in the economic and social life of their
communities".

The task force will meet next month, with a mandate to report back by
March 2000.

Looking at a broad range of policies, the committee will study
early-intervention strategies for young people at risk. A key
objective is "strengthening and supporting the capacity of families
and communities to help young people".

Mr Howard said the mandate reflected the Government's beliefs "that
this country's most important resource is its young people ... [and]
that a strong and stable family life is an essential source of support
and security for them as they make choices about their future".