Youth Employment Act (Passed)

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I really wish Senators would submit legislation that has a hope of passing.

Enabling child labour is not empowering them. What empowers youth is education, not being sent out to work.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I really wish Senators would submit legislation that has a hope of passing.

Enabling child labour is not empowering them. What empowers youth is education, not being sent out to work.

What is wrong in the left's mind with teens having part-time jobs? While I agree with Senator Polnut on education empowering our youth, working provides valuable life experience that shouldn't be denied to 14 and 15 year olds that education can't totally provide.

Because this is not about empowering youth, this is about businesses being able to hire young people and slave-wage rates.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Most countries have a cut-off of 14 years and nine months (give or take).

As long as there are very clear parameters, maximum hours and minimum rates of pay and conditions.

I believe it's important to give kids an understanding of the dignity of work. I will not do anything that enables workplaces to hire young people because of lower pay and conditions.

A young person's priority should be their education, we cannot allow a situation where kids sacrifice their opportunities for a better life in the long-term.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'm *shocked* to see our resident 'moderates' endorse child labor.

That's a very mild reaction for you.

It's not like child labour and working at a video/book/grocery store for a couple of hours after school. So if an amended Bill clarified the existing arrangements, it would be considered. But I won't support lowering the age below that standard of 14 years, 9 months.

I also won't support the original Bill as I won't support the repeal of portions an Act that protected children from exploitation and made sure business owners and parents didn't see kids as cheap labour or didn't prioritise education.  So this needs a LOT of clarification and amendment.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I'll vote Nay on the amendment, only because, there's a lot of very fluffy and subjective language here.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

AYE ... with reservations.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

NAY

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

AYE

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

AYE

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Nay, four hours is too few. I like what is being done here regarding focusing on education but four hours a week during the week is just too few to merit my support.

Too few for what purpose?