School a State responsibility, Federal Government says
The Federal Government declined to talk to the ABC, but in a statement, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Senator Scott Ryan, said it was a state government issue. “It is the responsibility of state and territory governments to ensure that young people stay in school until they are 17 as per their own legislation,” the statement said. “Around 74 per cent of the young people supported by the Youth Connections program were under 17 years old and thus a state and territory responsibility. “Youth Connections providers are required to refer young people to appropriate alternative support services before the end of the year.” Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said schools would continue to provide services. “We are working hard to make sure our schools can continue to provide a range of initiatives to support at-risk youth to stay at school, to re-engage in education or training, or to transition to employment,” he said in a statement.