The Member for Grayndler Anthony Albanese MP today launched a new competition for teenagers in Grayndler to speak up and tell their national leaders the challenges they face in going from school to TAFE, university or work and win $2000.

Young people in Grayndler have lots of different experiences and aspirations. Aim Higher is their chance to tell us what and who inspires them, what opportunities they need to get there, and what hurdles they have faced.

The Aim Higher competition, jointly sponsored by the Chifley Research Centre and Woodside Australian Energy, is open to all young people, with prizes in the 15 and under and 17 and under age groups.

The winners in each group will receive $2000 towards their education and the chance to present their ideas to the ALP National Conference in January.

Mr Albanese said one of the ALP’s key priorities was making higher education within reach of all young Australians.

“Our system is currently failing thousands of young Australians, with 200,000 young Australians living on the fringe of society.

“They are not receiving education or training and they either don’t have a job or are out of the labour force,” Mr Albanese said. “At least 100,000 of them have left school early.”

“The time has come for policy makers to think outside the square – and asking those young people who are about to enter higher education what their expectations are is an important part of that equation.

“This is a great opportunity for young people to put their ideas and priorities into a format that suits them; and then feed those ideas into our premier policy-making forum.

“We are not putting any strait-jackets on entries – essays, artwork, short stories, songs, videos and poems will all be accepted – as long they relate to their hopes and aspirations.

“The message that Labor is sending to young people is that we are listening and ready to take your ideas on board."