The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition was the nationalpeak body for youth affairs in Australia, representing young people and the services that work with them. it was defunded and closed in 2016. As the peak body, AYAC advocated on issues of concern for young people and provides assistance to the youth sector through training, networking and professional development opportunities. AYAC was established in 2002 following the de-funding of the previous peak body for youth affairs, the Australian Youth Policy and Action Coalition. AYAC did not receive any funding from the Australian Government between 2002 and 2008.
Objectives
The organisation's aims were as follows
• To provide a body broadly representative of the issues and interests of young people and the youth affairs field in Australia. To advocate for a united Australia which respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, promotes human rights, and provides justice for all. • To represent the rights and interests of young people in Australia, at both a national and an international level. • To promote the elimination of poverty and to promote the well-being of young Australians, with a particular focus on those who are disadvantaged. • Recognising the diversity of Australian society, to promote the cultural, social, economic, political, environmental and spiritual interests and participation of young people in all aspects of society. • To advocate for, assist with and support the development of policy positions on issues affecting young people and the youth affairs field, and to provide policy advice, perspectives and advocacy to Governments and the broader community. • To facilitate co-ordination and co-operation within the youth affairs field.
In 1998, the Minister for Youth Affairs announced that the Australian Government would not renew AYPAC's contract but would instead fund the National Youth Roundtable as a way to engage young people. This decision was widely criticised at the time, including by the then Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs who accused the Government of being "incapable of debating issues on an intellectual level, preferring to use the muzzle instead" Following the defunding of AYPAC, AYAC made a number of attempts to apply for funding between 2002 and 2007, however, the Government, through the Ministers for Youth did not support these funding proposals. In May 2007, the then Shadow Minister for Youth announced that the ALP would establish a national peak body for youth if elected to government. Once elected to Government at the 2007 Federal Election, the ALP Government funded an initiative in their 2008-09 Budget which was launched in October 2008. At this launch, the Minister for Youth announced that AYAC would be funded to the value of $400,000 per year as the peak body for youth affairs in Australia. At the time, the Minister identified AYAC's role as "an independent voice and advocate of young people and the youth sector". The funding was subsequently withdrawn in the Abbott government's first budget.
Governance
AYAC was governed by a Board of Directors, which received expert policy advice from AYAC's Policy Advisory Council. The Board and PAC included representatives from state and territory youth peaks as well as the youth sector and young people elected from across Australia. The Board of Directors was a balanced representation of young people, youth organizations and youth-led organizations, and state and territory youth peak bodies. The work of AYAC was undertaken by a paid executive staff.
