Experience

Australian Government

• 200 - 300 Employee

• Member Of Parliament

  • Jul 2019 - Present



Zoe Support Australia

• Founding Director

  • 2011 - Present

  One of the key areas where the future of pregnant and parenting young people suffers is educational attainment. Mildura has one of the highest teenage birth rates in Victoria. The 2010 Community Profiles reveals that in Mildura, the rate of babies born to women aged 15-19 years old is 27.0 per 1000 teenage women, which is more than double the state average. Also, there are 8.8% young people (more females than males) aged 15-19 years old not in education, employment or training, the state average is 5.5%.In my research thesis, Great Expectations: Reclaiming Education for Teenage Mothers, it became clear that teenage mothers in Mildura experience barriers to stay engaged or re-enagage in education. Barriers include; stigmatisation, lack of adequate housing, transport, childcare, financial support, emotional and psychological support and the lack of flexible study options. A number of recommendations were made and have now been instigated to support teenage mothers to complete their education.Key objectives of Zoe Support aim to give pregnant and parenting young people equitable access to education and provide them with the supports they need to help them create a better future for themselves and their families.The first Zoe Centre opened in 2013, the second in 2015. The third is now opening in January 2016. Discussions are under way with another larger provider toward a partnership to allow a roll out of the program to other regional areas of high teen birth rate.