SA legislation targets youth
ADELAIDE — "The Labor Party has failed: another 7800 on the dole queue in October alone. How many more thousands of people haven't even registered for the dole?" Andrew Hall, Democratic Socialist candidate for Adelaide in the state election, was commenting on the employment situation facing young people.
"And the Labor Party's response? In the final sessions of parliament before the elections, they rushed through legislation tightening up the crime laws: not against company tax evasion or pollution but graffiti and car theft.
"The legislation also gives police increased powers for intervention and arrest even in relation to issues like graffiti."
The Liberal Party, Hall said was taking the same approach, pledging to open new police stations the southern suburbs of Aldinga and Seaford.
"Instances of graffiti and vandalism directly relate to young people's social situation. In the southern suburbs, for instance, youth unemployment is over 30% and that is one of the so-called high crime areas.
"What is needed are policies which will address the needs of people: real job creation in the areas of social need — education, public transport, environmental rehabilitation, health and housing. We need a serious commitment to extending the public sector."