Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) -- I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Education. It follows an event that I attended last Friday, the 21st anniversary celebration of Les Twentyman's Back to School program. In the past 21 years the program has helped some 11 000 children get to school. Those are mainly children who might not otherwise have received a proper education. I think every member of this house will join in congratulating 'Sir' Les on an outstanding

contribution not just to the young people in his area but to the economic and social health of the entire western suburbs.

The gathering last Friday morning was at Whitten Oval. It included child safety commissioner Bernie Geary. Doug Hawkins was there, as was comedian Elliot Goblet. We heard consultant psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg give a powerful address. He pointed out strong linkages between a low education level and criminal activity. He said that this is arguably one of the most vulnerable generations in the history of Australia and that there are four compelling reasons that the Back to School initiative is so important and should be expanded across Australia. He said completing year 12 provides a significant buffer against unemployment and that early school leaving costs Australia $2.6 billion a year.

He said unemployment has a devastating effect on the psychological and social development of young people and increases the risk of homelessness, involvement in crime, failure to develop a work ethic, self-harm and youth suicide. In short, it is false economy to not proactively address this issue.

Dr Carr-Gregg pointed out that studies show that young males who are not in the labour force have a mortality rate 8.6 times higher than their working or studying counterparts and that youth unemployment truncates their future through low wages, underemployment and unemployment, which is a one-way passport to lifelong poverty. He concluded by saying that in the olden days we used to send our early school leavers into the trenches. He said the modern equivalent seems to be unemployment or work-for-the-dole queues, the pub, the clubs or the broken-down old cars, after which either we bury them or patch up their broken limbs, give them Prozac or Ritalin and send them on their way.

He said also that we need to applaud, support and expand this Back to School program because if we think education is expensive, we should try ignorance.

What I ask the minister tonight is to provide Les Twentyman and the 20th Man Fund with a degree of funding because for 21 years Les has done his work without any government funding at all. It is about time the government came to the party. I ask the minister to provide the necessary funding to support and expand the 20th Man Fund's Back to School program.