I think Sebastian has raised a very interesting issue there. A couple of friends of mine have sat on the Round Table. My impression from what they have told me is that the whole program was somewhat tokenistic, and had more to do with appearing to give, rather than actually giving, young people a real opportunity to be heard. I find it very disturbing to think that the federal government has chosen to cripple, rather than improve and invest in, a voice for a few million young Australians - Australia's future.

A broader issue that has bothered me for a while is what seems to be disinterest and apathy amongst young people (late teens - mid 20s) in relation to politics. Many of my fellow university students complained about VSU, but upon being asked, were unwilling to attend protests or even write a quick letter to their local MP (that is, if they knew who their local MP was). I also recall that during the last federal election, many of my peers were more interested in discussing Australian Idol than political matters that impacted on their lives.

My commendations to the 450 people who applied for the RT this year. It's great to know that there are least 450 young people who are willing to do something other than stand and watch in apathy as the federal government moves to ruin their future with the IR reforms, etc.

Eugene, Sadly, you are quite correct regarding the apathy of youth, however youth is far from having a monopoly on that particular subject. Some of our posters see everything in the form of market forces, and fail to recognise society benefit in government policy. This is yet another in a long line of retrograde steps, and the growing arrogance by this government. To lessen the input of tomorrows leaders, is to bury one's head in the sand, and reject any ideas except your oun outdated philosophies. Our nation, faces a myriad of complex issues, which desperately need a new perspective, especially from the 450 young people you mentioned, and in my humble opinion, the youth council should have been doubled, not halved. For someone like me who is 50 years old, I dispair at the future prospects of Australia, as we slide down the slippery pole to US way of life, where dog eat dog mentality applies, loss of individual freedoms,loss of rights and living standards in a situation where the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, every year. The number of youth living in poverty is a disgrace for a wealthy country like ours, this situation tends to perpertrate and highlight the ever growing gulf between the have's and have nots. The "have not's" will be exploited by the have's, you enjoy exploiting their fellow man, for their own selfish gain, which I as a Christian find very difficult to accept.

Shonga - you don't have to be a Christian to find this article and the proposed IR changes very worrying.

Thank you Sebastian for your article - I had no knowledge of this issue and find it yet another sad indictment of the 'might is right' policies of our current government.

I will be looking carefully at youth policies at the next election as a result of your article.

Youth are the leaders of tomorrow - we are not setting a civilised example today anymore than we are valueing your opinions today.

Look forward to hearing more from you.