South Australia was incredibly eye-opening. Across Adelaide young people spoke with a clarity and urgency that cut through political noise. Their perspectives were diverse—shaped by experience, by place, by history—but all carried a common thread: a desire for systems that actually work for them. From Hopestreet to Hope Valley Youth Group, from Flinders University to Northern Sound System, from the South Australia Commission for Children and Young People to the UN Youth South Australia State Conference, every conversation painted a picture of resilience in the face of deeply entrenched challenges.

At the South Australia Commission for Children and Young People, young people called for a system that values equity over equality—one that recognises the unique barriers individuals face rather than applying a blanket approach. They spoke of financial barriers to education, the need for better support for families struggling with the cost of living, and the danger of voices being reduced to stereotypes rather than being heard as individuals.

Flinders University students described a city that was designed for public transport but has since abandoned that vision—trains that could connect communities left untouched, buses that are unreliable or non-existent, housing built in isolation from services. They spoke of a healthcare system at breaking point—emergency wait times that stretch into the night, hospitals without the resources they need, and a lack of rural infrastructure that puts lives at risk.

In the heart of Adelaide, young people at Northern Sound System shared their stories of generational hardship—how cycles of financial stress, domestic violence, and housing insecurity shape their communities. They highlighted the need for early intervention and genuine relationship-building, not just services that step in too late. They called for more programs that support young people transitioning into adulthood, a gap that leaves so many without the guidance they need.

At Hopestreet Community Hub, young people who had disengaged from mainstream education described the power of a supportive community. A place where teachers build one-on-one relationships, where students feel understood rather than cast aside. They spoke of the flaws in an education system that leaves little room for alternative learning and the need for more schools designed to meet young people where they are, rather than forcing them into rigid structures that don’t work for them.

At the UN Youth South Australia State Conference, conversations stretched beyond South Australia, tackling issues that young people are passionate about on a national and global scale. They spoke of climate change, systemic racism in schools, youth civic disengagement, and the injustices of the criminal justice system—particularly the harm inflicted on First Nations young people. They highlighted how issues intersect, how solutions cannot exist in silos, and how young people are paying the price for policies that prioritise short-term politics over long-term change.

The Youth Affairs Council of South Australia painted a stark picture of the state’s policy landscape—how funding cuts have stripped youth-focused services, how youth work has been devalued, and how social work legislation ignores the unique role of those who work specifically with young people. They highlighted the government’s recent failure to raise the age of criminal responsibility and the disturbing reality that South Australia remains the only jurisdiction that does not prioritise the best interests of the child in its youth justice framework.

A special mention to Vasil Samardzhiev for representing the Youth Rep program so wonderfully at the South Australian Student Representative Council Summit, organised by the South Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Leaving South Australia, I am struck by the passion, the urgency, and the depth of thought young people bring to these issues. They are not waiting for permission to create change; they are already doing it. They are stepping into leadership, pushing boundaries, and proving that their voices cannot be ignored.

Like Queensland, the next phase of this journey will take me further into South Australia’s regional communities, where new voices and perspectives will continue to challenge and expand the picture of what young people need. What is clear already is that their vision for the future is one of justice, inclusion, and opportunity. Now, it is up to those in power to listen.