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By Tiffany Verga, Curtin University, UNFCCC, 2020 Tiffany Verga is a Curtin University student studying a Bachelor of Commerce/Arts (Journalism and Marketing). Her Policy Paper discusses Engaging Western Australian Youth in Climate Governance. Executive Summary As the impact of climate change intensifies, Australian youth1 have joined their global counterparts in demanding increased government action. This has been evident through movements such as the “Schoolstrike4climate” campaign where students skipped school to demand action from the Morrison government (Young, 2021). In May 2021, youth’s vested interest in climate action was further demonstrated when eight teenagers launched a class action in the Federal Court giving rise to a common law duty that the Minister for Environment must protect future generations against the impacts of climate change (Slezak 2021). However, despite recent successes, youth voices have often failed to be legitimised and heard, a sentiment voiced by climate activist Greta Thunberg (Harvey, 2019). Even with commitments to involve youth in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, such as signing the Kwon Gesh Climate Pledge in 2019 (United Nations, 2019), there is still much to be left desired to ensure youth feel their concerns have been heard and the barriers to accessing political leaders and a climate education are reduced. Consequently, this paper aims to recognise barriers regarding youth involvement in government and climate decisions and provide an appropriate policy solution to reduce these issues for Western Australian (WA) youth. It recommends introducing a ‘WA Youth Climate Internship Program’ (WAYCIP) for youth between 18-24, facilitated by the WA Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and the WA Local Government Association (WALGA). This program would directly involve youth in local government climate policy processes to address knowledge gaps, provide experiences, job skills and networks. As a result, youth will be provided greater accessibility to government and environment leaders alongside a greater understanding of the climate and environmental issues facing.

By Meg Somers, RMIT University, UNFCCC, 2020 Meg Somers is an RMIT University student studying a Bachelor of International Studies (Global Security). Her Policy Paper discusses Preventing & Addressing Post-Disaster Domestic Violence in Affected Communities. Executive Summary Climate and disaster crises have significant gendered implications (Dankelman & Naidu, 2020). People of all ages and genders have distinct vulnerabilities that affect the way they experience disaster and their ability to recover from it (Gender and Disaster Pod, 2016). These vulnerabilities are caused by socioeconomic conditions, cultural beliefs, and traditional practices. This paper explores the increased rates of domestic violence that routinely occur after natural disasters and the disproportionate impact this violence has on women (UNDP, 2021), through the context of Victoria, Australia. Displacement from disasters can exacerbate women’s vulnerability to domestic abuse and sexual assault (UNDP, 2021). Australia’s current climate and disaster policies only take a gendered lens when considering foreign policy. Current domestic policy in Australia does not consider the gendered aspects of disaster resilience. This paper addresses the gap in domestic policy and Australia’s emergency management response to rates of domestic violence in natural disaster affected communities. By amending the National Principles for Disaster Recovery and implementing a national domestic-violence awareness training program for first responders and those in human services roles in post-disaster environments, the government can facilitate effective and discreet support to those affected by domestic violence. This will improve the health and wellbeing of women and men affected by disaster across Australia, whilst also working towards Australia’s goal of reaching gender equality.

By Rose Hawkins, The University of Melbourne, UNFCCC, 2020 Rose Hawkins is a University of Melbourne student studying a Master of Environment, Sustainability, and Community Development. Her Policy Paper discusses Mainstreaming Community Energy in Australia’s Energy Transformation. Executive Summary The world is in the midst of an energy transition. As economies respond to the increasing impacts of climate change and the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, momentum is gathering for a shift away from reliance on fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. However, grassroots Community Renewable Energy (CRE) organisations in Australia are yet to be meaningfully included in this process. Their involvement would spur the transformational,systemic change necessary to prevent catastrophic impacts of climate change, while delivering a range of benefits for local economies, communities and the environment. Federal and State Governments must take decisive action to establish CRE as a mainstream component of our energy system, to leverage the multidimensional benefits it promises for all Australians. This can be achieved by: Amending the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) Act 2012 (Cth) and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Act 2011 (Cth) to include provisions for CRE; Expanding the knowledge brokering role of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop a national CRE Community of Practice; and Establishing Local Power Hubs to drive the development of CRE groups and projects in designated regions, managed and supported by state and territory governments.

By Dominic Mappas, Central Queensland University, UNFCCC, 2020 Dominic Mappas is a CQ University student studying a Bachelor of Education. His Policy Paper discusses Mitigating Weather Erosion on Queensland Coastline and Islands. Executive Summary This paper provides an analysis and evaluation of the impacts of climate change on Queensland’s coastal dune areas. The Queensland coastline has experienced turmoil from the current climate crisis, which has exacerbated extreme weather events as evident by the recent erosion of coastal dune areas. This paper discusses adapting the Queensland coastal dune areas through revegetation to mitigate extreme weather events effects and prevent future destruction. This paper also evaluates relevant limitations to mitigate efforts including continuation of extreme weather; stakeholders disagreeing on the extent to which climate change induces extreme weather events; and the ability to implement the recommendations before further erosion. Despite these limitations, this paper makes realistic proposals for protecting Queensland dunes. This is achieved by considering tourism, industries, and ecosystems that depend on dunes to protect their beaches; significant consequences will occur for Queensland and its environment without immediate action.

By Abigail Joseph, Global Voices National Scholar, WHA, 2020 Abigail Joseph is a Global Voices National Scholar. Her policy paper focuses on Let’s Move Australia – Improving National Physical Activity Rates. Executive Summary Insufficient physical activity and mostly sedentary behaviour are major factors leading to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) (WHO, 2016). Addressing this issue is a key priority of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019). The WHO recommends that Member States develop national physical activity guidelines and integrated policies to improve physical activity rates. Unfortunately, this has not been achieved in Australia. Over the past 20 years, Australian National Health surveys have not improved (Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, 2018) as the percentage of adults meeting physical activity guidelines is worrying. Further, the Australian Government has not developed a specific and targeted national physical activity policy. However, a strategy is in early stages of development. (Department of Health, 2019). This policy paper offers two key recommendations to increase physical activity rates amongst Australians, particularly in the community and workplace. Firstly, this is to be achieved through a Commonwealth-funded program to support local councils in developing active transport infrastructure. Additionally, this paper proposes implementing new Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemptions for employers offering incentives to boost physical activity in the workplace.

By Stephanie McBride, Central Queensland University, WHA, 2020 Stephanie McBride is a Bachelor of Paramedic Science student at Central Queensland University. Her policy paper focuses on Making Sports Accessible for Children in Lower Socioeconomic Households in Australia. Executive Summary Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global concern (World Health Organization [WHO] 2018) arising from lifestyle risk factors such as physical inactivity and leading to millions of deaths every year. There are numerous measures in place to combat NCDs, though the NCD Alliance (2017) states that these measures often are targeted at the adult population and do not involve children. However, people often adopt an unhealthy lifestyle in childhood that continues into adulthood, and therefore children should be key targets for NCD reform activities. Physical inactivity levels are growing amongst Australian children, resulting in higher rates of overweight and obesity and increasing the risk of developing NCDs. WHO (2018) show that physical activity amongst children can be easily achieved and promoted through sports. Children from low socioeconomic backgrounds were identified as more likely to be physically inactive, overweight or obese and less likely to participate in sports, often as a result of a low income and the costs associated with sport (Tabet 2018). This paper addresses current physical inactivity rates and financial barriers in accessing sports for children from low socio-economic backgrounds. The proposal expands the current measures of financial assistance for sports registration fees to children. It does this by uniting the individual state and territory schemes into a national standard where Australian children will receive universal assistance and eligibility regardless of the state/territory they reside in.

By Cameron Allan, Australian National University, Y20, 2020 Cameron Allan is one of Global Voices National Scholars. His policy paper focuses on The case for a new New Colombo Plan. Executive Summary The New Colombo Plan (͚NCP͛) is a significant government investment in Australia's Asia capability. Funded by the federal government, the NCP supports approximately 10,000 Australian undergraduate students a year to study and intern in the Indo-Pacific. Its success in attracting and engaging many Australian university students speaks to its entrenchment in the Australian student experience and its potential for shaping Australia's future professional class. However, key features of the Plan's institutional design prevent it from fully delivering on its promise, particularly its mission to improve intercultural competence amongst participants. There are pedagogical and methodological angles for understanding these shortcomings. First, NCP is not informed by best-practice intercultural learning pedagogy, resulting in students underutilising their overseas experiences. Compounding this problem is NCP's programming structure, which does not financially support a variety of the most contemporary and innovative methods for extracting intercultural competence from the Indo-Pacific. By addressing these weaknesses, NCP would better achieve intercultural competency outcomes, thereby providing better value to both government and students, This policy paper offers a roadmap for reforming NCP to maximise intercultural competency outcomes. Beginning with pedagogy, this paper illustrates potential interventions before, during, and after an NCP program, increasing the likelihood of participants developing intercultural competence. Later, this paper suggests NCP look beyond the paradigm of traditional exchange opportunities by encouraging universities to develop innovative non-mobile learning options.

By Carlie Dodds, Global Voices National Scholar, Y20, 2020 Carlie Dodds is one of Global Voices National Scholars. Her policy paper focuses on Enabling Effective Engagement between Local Councils and Young Constituents. Executive Summary Despite increasing commitments by the Australian Government to engage young people in decision-making, youth engagement is often poorly practiced in Australia at the expense of better policies and stronger communities. The importance of effectively engaging young people in decision-making has been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on young people. This policy paper focuses on the New South Wales Strategic Plan for Children and Young People as an opportunity to improve youth engagement in local council decision-making, the level of government that young people most prefer to engage with. This paper recommends the creation of a taskforce to develop and highlight best practice for engaging young people in decision making across local councils in New South Wales and for best practice to be included in future iterations of the New South Wales Strategic Plan for Children and Young People.

By Rachel Toms, The Department of Defence, GLOBSEC, 2023 Rachel Toms works at the Department of Defence and her policy paper is on Refreshing the protection of Australia’s critical undersea infrastructure. Executive Summary In a world that is becoming increasingly more reliant on data for essential services, submarine cables are an essential part of the infrastructure which allows society to function. As technology is evolving and the Indo-Pacific region is becoming more contested, it is crucial to ensure the submarine cables connecting Australia to the rest of the world are adequately protected. This paper will explore two options for revising Australia’s critical undersea infrastructure protection regime. The first option will discuss revising the Telecommunications Act to provide the necessary legislative framework to protect submarine cables against emerging technologies and the second will investigate the establishment of an Indo-Pacific Submarine Cable Protection Cell, to uplift the security of critical undersea infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region. To do so, Australia should take the opportunity to update existing legislative protections and build upon existing initiatives, such as the QUAD Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience to capitalise on existing opportunities. Doing so would minimise the cost and resource burden on the Australian Government. Although both recommendations may take time and require establishing a strong foundation of trust, the importance of submarine cables to Australia makes it a worthwhile endeavour.

By Alexandra Wilson, Griffith University, World Health Assembly, 2023 Alexandra is currently studying Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Griffith University. Her policy paper is on Prevention and Stigma – Evidenced-Based Training Programs for Australian Healthcare Workers Executive Summary This policy proposal aims to provide evidence-based solutions to the longstanding national and international concerns of poor practitioner wellbeing and subsequent impacts on patient safety. By prioritising a preventative approach to upskilling healthcare workers (HCWs) in wellbeing, self-care strategies, suicide prevention and stigma training, this paper aims to reduce the prevalence of symptoms and diagnoses consistent with depression, anxiety, and burnout. This paper proposes an approximate $1,500 per employee investment into the proposed training strategies that is consistent with recent inflation increases, to prevent a $12,000 - $16,000 per employee productivity loss to the healthcare system. Pre-existing and potential barriers, like issues with passive learning, time poor healthcare staff, and the complex nature of mental health conditions are addressed. The solutions of mandatory physician self-care and wellbeing training modules along with mandatory self-care plan development are proposed. Overall, the proposal aims to address a current gap in managing the mental health and wellbeing of Australian healthcare workers, which can contribute to positively decreasing the symptoms and diagnoses of mental health illnesses.

By Haiden Threlfall, Department of Defence, GLOBSEC, 2023 Haiden Threlfall works at the Department of Defence and his policy paper is on Fighting The War Of Natural Disasters Executive Summary The 2020’s in Australia have been defined by continuous natural disasters ranging from bushfires, to floods, to the COVID - 19 pandemic (Henderson, 2023). In fact, studies have confirmed that natural disasters have become more frequent (Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, 2020). It is known, that in Australia, State and Territory Governments are primarily responsible for disaster response (Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, 2020). Despite this, throughout the 2020’s, there has been a consistent reliance on the Australian Defence Force (ADF), a Federally controlled asset, to be what Robert Glasser (2023) of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has called a “primary responder." Simultaneously, fueled by the Sino-US competition, Australia has been walking into an increased age of strategic competition within the Indo-Pacific (Parry, 2022). Consequently, the ADF should be focusing on its own training to increase overall combat effectiveness and preparedness to execute conventional warfare (Dibb & Brabin-Smith, 2021). However, being the primary responder for domestic disasters and training for conventional warfare are in direct tension with one another. As the Defence Strategic Review 2023 (DSR) highlighted, the ADF’s continual response to domestic disasters had “negatively affected force preparedness, readiness and combat effectiveness” (Glasser, 2023). This policy paper proposes solutions to reduce the tension placed on the ADF between domestic disaster response and engaging in the current age of strategic competition. The paper will propose legislative amendments to the Defence Act 1903 that limit timeframes for ADF support to domestic disaster response. Further, the paper proposes that the Defence Force Reserves transition to a National Guard structure. Thereby, increasing State and Territory capacity to coordinate their own disaster response without the Federal Government’s intervention.

By Grant Duthie, Central Queensland University, Y20, 2022 Grant is studying at Central Queensland University. His policy paper focuses on Improving Digital Financial Literacy Through Public-Private Initiatives. Executive Summary Digital financial literacy (DFL) is receiving increasing global attention for its role in improving financial inclusion or access to financial services among underserved or excluded populations (Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion, 2016). With many Australians reporting low or very low levels of financial knowledge and personal exposure to fraud, there are concerns about whether vulnerable populations will be excluded from participation in an increasingly digital financial landscape (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, 2021). While financial literacy programmes can address financial exclusion, the focus has shifted to DFL as individuals will need knowledge of digital financial risks and protective measures, digital financial products and services, and consumer rights and redress processes to participate in the digital economy effectively (Lyons & Kass-Hanna, 2021). Accordingly, this paper will outline the current state of DFL in Australia and propose recommendations for the Australian Federal Government to mitigate issues of digital financial exclusion while supporting vulnerable Australians better in navigating the increasingly complex and challenging digital financial landscape. Despite the Australian Government’s National Financial Capability Strategy, there is a distinct policy vacuum in improving coordination and collaboration across diverse sectors on DFL initiatives and outcomes-based reporting (Treasury, 2022). The proposal involves two different elements. Firstly, it proposes the establishment of a governance body for coordinating, monitoring, evaluating, and promoting best-practice initiatives across diverse sectors to better engage vulnerable Australians on DFL. Secondly, it proposes producing a biennial report to address measurement gaps and drive accountability, transparency, and ongoing review of key performance indicators on the issue.