Media releases

A landmark speech in Ballarat tomorrow night will put a powerful case for a better deal for young people – leading into next week’s national Jobs and Skills Summit to be held at Parliament House in Canberra.

The annual Menzies Oration, to be hosted by Federation University Australia for the first time, will feature Travers McLeod, Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, and a panel of young leaders who will explore how best to build pathways for young people to thrive.

The interactive and livestreamed event titled Do I have a future? A better deal for young people in Australia will ignite discussion on the need for young people to be the priority for policy makers, unions, and business leaders when they gather for the Summit on 1 and 2 September.

Mr McLeod will ask critical questions about how to rebuild hope with young people, so their education pays off, their work provides economic security and housing is more than a pipe dream.

He will argue that this begins with redesigning employment and training systems so that they are fit for the future and can grow young people's capabilities to take up opportunities in a shifting economy.

The Menzies Oration will be livestreamed from the Geoffrey Blainey Auditorium at Federation’s Mount Helen Campus from 6:00pm.

To register to watch the event and join the discussion visit https://forms.office.com/r/b5Xh3q31uJ

Quotes attributable to Federation Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley

“Through the Menzies Oration, we will provide young people with a strong platform for their voices to be heard in advance of next week’s Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra.”

“To have an economy that truly works for all, Australians must invest in the skills our young people need to secure meaningful employment, that’s why we are introducing Australia’s first co-op education model, where an extended period of real work experience will be embedded into all our programs from 2025.”

Quotes attributable to Menzies Foundation CEO Liz Gillies

“The Menzies Foundation is delighted to be partnering with Federation University and the Brotherhood of St Laurence in the lead up to the Jobs Summit, to ensure that the voices of young people contribute to the national conversation about our collective responsibility to support our youth to thrive.

“The Menzies Foundation aspires to build a leadership movement that encourages Australians to pivot to purpose, build their leadership capability and contribute to the ‘greater good’ – it is imperative that education and access to meaningful work are a scaffold which best position Australian youth to feel confident and emboldened by the opportunities of the emerging future.”

Quotes attributable to Brotherhood of St. Laurence Executive Director Travers McLeod

“In a time of ongoing crisis and uncertainty, young people need a future to hold on to. We need clarity on what Australia's guarantee is for young people today and the possible futures they can create. We need practical answers we can act on now that lead to lasting change.”

“The Oration will argue that this begins with redesigning our employment and training systems so that they're fit for the future and can grow young people's capabilities to take up opportunities in a shifting economy, converting training into decent work and creating employment pathways that benefit young people, meet employer needs and empower communities.”

Quote attributable to Federation student, Chair of Student Senate, (Mt Helen Higher Education Representative) and Member of International Student Committee, Gurmaan Kaur

“Being involved in the Menzies Oration is a wonderful opportunity to explore the pressing issues facing youth today.”

“It is a privilege to be given a platform where I can share my personal journey to becoming the Chair of the Student Senate and delve into fresh ideas on how to reinspire trust and hope for my generation in a meaningful way.”